(File photo/paNOW staff)

By Susan McNeil

Violent Crime

Council starts working group to combat rise in crime

May 17, 2022 | 5:00 PM

A motion by city councillor Blake Edwards to create a working group to deal specifically with the issue of crime met with success at Monday’s meeting.

Edwards said that people increasingly do not feel safe in the city, and something needs to be done.

“Some people are losing sleep at night because the people that once upon a time checked the door handles to our cars are checking the doorhandles to our homes,” he said.

His motion passed unanimously after multiple councillors weighed in on the topic.

The city will invite leaders from the federal, provincial, PAGC, Metis Nation—Saskatchewan, FSIN and First Nations in the area to try to find a way to deal with growing crime rates and the fact that the crimes are becoming more violent.

Freedom and Flexibility

How App-Based Work Creates Economic Opportunity

21h ago

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

Dec 09, 2025

“(It) cannot just be city council or the mayor of Prince Albert. We have to work together to address these issues that are negatively our residents and people visiting our community,” he said.

Edwards said that people are concerned about vehicles being checked at night for open doors and being ransacked and items and vehicles being stolen.

“Is there a pattern to where these vehicles may end up or where the property goes? Maybe,” he said.

Another issue that has been raised multiple times is panhandlers waiting at grocery stores to ask for the loonies used to unlock the cart and not accepting being told no.

All governments need to start demanding accountability, Edwards said.

“All people, and I repeat, all people, want to feel safe in our neighbourhoods no matter where you live. All people want to feel safe when shopping,” he said.

A notion that the community needs to just accept the changes as a new normal and learn to live with them is not acceptable, he added.

“Property crime and violent crime is on the rise, and it seems like society today is forced to think this is the new normal but does it have to be?” Edwards asked.

Edwards said he doesn’t see higher levels of government talking about crime issues and the fact that it is growing and changing and that is one reason he brought the motion to council.

His motion to create the working group was seconded by Councillor Tony Head, who represents Ward 3 which has recently had a string of property crime, including tires being slashed, windows broken and an attempted home invasion.

“It is concerning. I think we have to move on some of this. My residents and constituents are frustrated,” said Head, who is part of a community watch. “I see some of these things that have transpired in the neighbourhoods and it has to stop.”

Several councillors suggested waiting until after the next regular meeting at which time Dr. Chad Nilson will be giving a report on the homeless situation in the city.

Edwards said he preferred to act sooner, as meetings can be difficult to schedule over the summer and more immediate action needs to be taken.

While Prince Albert also has a growing issue with homelessness and addictions, those are not necessarily the cause of the increase in crime and Edwards said the homeless people are not committing most of the crime.

It is more connected to gang activity.

After some discussion, council passed the motion to invite other organizations to help the city work on the problem with all councillors and the mayor voting in favour.

—

susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow