North Battleford’s $106,000 decision to bring in extra security comes after the city was already forced to remove most park benches from its downtown and spend another $20,000 on cameras last year. The city had hoped for funding from the province; however, it appears that wasn’t provided.
“Scott Moe has allowed public safety in this province to erode to the point where cities are now being forced to step in and protect themselves,” said Hugh Gordon, Associate Community Safety Shadow Minister. “Now, the city is taking matters into its own hands. That’s commendable but ultimately taxpayers will pay more for this private security force.”
Severe crime in Saskatchewan is nearly twice the national average and more than two-and-a-half times higher than in provinces like Ontario and Quebec. The province now has the second-highest homicide rate in Canada, and since Scott Moe became premier, that rate has climbed by nearly 60 per cent.
“The frontline officers we do have are doing everything they can,” Gordon said. “Still, they are being asked to respond to a broader range of issues without the support systems that should be in place.
“We know that, after 20 years, the Sask. Party has failed to invest in fighting crime and tackling the root causes of crime.”
Moe’s recently released bad news budget spends $1.2 billion to service the interest on his $43 billion debt — three times the amount spent on policing.
Carla Beck’s team is calling for immediate action to address both crime and its root causes, including increased support for policing, targeted prevention programs, and expanded mental health and addiction services.
“Public safety is not just about statistics,” Gordon said. “It is about whether people feel safe walking down the street, opening their business, or bringing their family downtown.
“Right now, too many people do not feel safe in their own communities, and that is why it’s time for change.”
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