By Nigel Maxwell

P.A. police step up enforcement on gang activity

Aug 17, 2018 | 8:00 AM

A targeted focus on weapons and drugs offences in the city, is the explanation from the Prince Albert Police Service regarding a significant number of arrests in the city this month.

The most recent bust happened Aug. 14 when two homes were raided in the Midtown area and 14 people were arrested. From the homes, police seized numerous firearms, drugs, ammunition, cash, and body armour. Police spokesperson Alanna Adamko said the Integrated Street Enforcement Team (ISET) has a mandate to investigate, reduce and disrupt street level drugs, gangs and illegal firearm activity.

“The recent media updates on several successful operations are the results of the ongoing enforcement from ISET and internal police resources and partners. The strategies have not changed and PAPS continues to support ISET in fulfilling their mandate,” she said.

Since the beginning of August, police have laid a total of 127 charges and seized 10 firearms. On Aug. 9, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit informed paNOW they had made nine arrests in connection to a nearly nine-month long investigation. The investigation began in November of 2017 when police learned about a drug trafficking organization responsible for bringing large quantities of cocaine and marijuana into the region. In addition to the arrests, officers also seized four vehicles, weapons and large quantity of drugs.

“We recognize an increase in firearm offences across the province. We continue to focus on this with enforcement but with other strategies such as the firearm amnesty program and education to the public to properly secure firearms in compliance with regulations,” Adamko said.

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Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne is Chair of the Board of Police Commission. He said the board is tired of the gang activity in the city and he wants everyone to feel they live in a safe city.

“We’re like every city though, we have a gang issue so we are not going to hide from it and we are going to take it head on,” he said.

Dionne said the board received a request from the police service, which wanted to make street gang activity more of a priority. Dionne said the board in turn gave police the budget and the authorization to go after the gang members. When asked to elaborate on the budget, Dionne said this would include if the police service needed more overtime hours or needed to call in more SWAT members for a specific call.

“If you’re going to do crime in Prince Albert, you’d better think of moving because we are going to get you,” Dionne said.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell