(file photo/meadowlakeNOW Staff)
RCMP Update

Additional resources sent to Meadow Lake RCMP, officers in isolation after COVID-19 exposure

Jan 14, 2021 | 4:11 PM

Four members of the RCMP are in isolation as they have been deemed close contacts to people who have tested positive for COVID-19.

The detachment’s Sgt. Ryan How stated while the officers are in isolation, none of them have positive test results for the virus. However, this has not affected service as the RCMP deployed additional services to assist with detachment operations.

Between January 4 to 11, the Meadow Lake RCMP responded to 154 calls for service, a slight increase from the 136 calls received during the same timeframe last year.

While that number may seem high, it is actually below average as officers responded to over 200 calls the week prior.

How said these numbers could see an increase later in the year when the warm weather returns.

“We received 201 calls the week before, so 154 is probably low-average to average for what we are seeing this time of year when it’s cold. There aren’t as many people up in the parks during the summer time, and that is why we are able to get those numbers way up there in the summer.”

He added violent offences are not the reason why the numbers are as high as they are.

One ongoing concern from officials is the increase in vehicle thefts associated with warmer weather. How mentioned there are plans to increase patrolling in specific areas of the city to reduce and prevent more thefts.

“When members are available, we’re going to focus on that in overtime. We’ll help [on-duty officers] out in plain clothes, out of uniform, but still be armed and able to respond,” How said. “There will be targeted walking areas of the city at late hours and early hours of the morning to try and curb car shopping.”

The RCMP is also encouraging residents to sign up for the Rural Crime Watch program. The program provides residents with real-time updates from their local RCMP detachment. How said the app has been well-received by other communities and could provide residents with up-to-date information in their community.

“The public can sign up and subscribe to detachments they want notifications from. You can get province-wide updates really, and depending on how active the detachments are, you’ll get updates on events going on, stolen vehicles, you name it. It’ll come across, and you can get those alerts by email or text.”

Anyone who would like to sign up for the Crime Watch program can do so at www.saskcrimewatch.ca.

Elliott.Knopp@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp

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