La Ronge council has three next members as of October 2024. (Submitted photo/Allyson Richards)

By Derek Cornet

regular meeting

Crime reduction a strategic priority for town council moving foward

Nov 18, 2024 | 4:55 PM

The topic of crime and how to address it dominated a regular La Ronge council meeting held last week.

The issue of crime had been identified as one of 10 strategic priorities of council for the next four years. Following the swearing-in of a new council in October, members conveyed the first step they would like to take is to facilitate the development of a crime reduction strategy.

The strategy would help define the types of crime to target, review best practices and past efforts in the region, and identify areas of attention and recommendations.

“Within the community, I know there is a lot of concern around property damage and those kind of things,” said Mayor Joe Hordyski.

“To me, the first step is to identify who we could work with at the table, you know the RCMP and different agencies, and after a bit of brainstorming, then we can kind of put together a strategy.”

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Hordyski noted the process could affect what the municipality’s priorities are with the RCMP, adding those haven’t changed for a number of years and crime hasn’t been reduced with them in place.

Coun. Viviana Ruiz Arcand said crime has been a topic of discussion at the council table many times over the years.

“La Ronge has above average crime rates, which in some circles is stated to be 339 per cent higher than the Saskatchewan average. I think that has to do with a number of different actions, it’s just not related to one crime,” she explained.

“At the end of the day, I think we know there are things that need to be addressed in the community, and we’ve talked about it often. I think it is time we look at taking actionable steps.”

Administration has been tasked with inviting a number of different groups and professionals in the tri-communities to meet with council. It is hoped once that meeting occurs, town council will have a better idea on how to move forward with crime reduction.

Other strategic priorities council has identified to focus on over the next four years are commercial/business development, housing, daycare space, downtown revitalization, street maintenance, regional partnerships and cost sharing, a regional animal pound and control services, as well as projects focused on replacing the Mel Hegland Uniplex and wastewater treatment plant.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com