North Battleford City Hall. Tuesday's Oct.14 regular council meeting took place at the Don Ross Centre Chamber. (file photo/battlefordsNOW)

By Kenneth Cheung

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

North Battleford to add cameras and remove benches to tackle downtown concerns

Oct 15, 2025 | 8:55 AM

City council approved three measures Tuesday to improve safety and public perception in North Battleford’s downtown, including a one-year bench-removal trial, two additional security cameras and a bylaw allowing local police to enforce Saskatchewan’s Safe Public Spaces (Street Weapons) Act.

The new Safe Public Spaces Bylaw No. 2190 formally brings the provincial act into effect within city limits. The law took effect across Saskatchewan on Aug. 1 and allows municipalities and First Nations to decide whether to apply it locally.

By adopting the bylaw, North Battleford has chosen to opt in, giving RCMP and Community Safety Officers authority to enforce the act within the city.

The legislation regulates the possession, transportation and storage of items defined as “street weapons,” such as knives, machetes, swords, body armour, explosive devices and wildlife-control products like bear spray.

Under the bylaw, local enforcement will be able to seize and dispose of such items when they pose a safety risk or are used improperly in public areas.

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While many of these powers already exist under the federal Criminal Code, the provincial legislation provides more flexibility and a faster process for confiscating and destroying prohibited items.

Battlefords RCMP detachment commander Insp. Ryan How told council the act provides “additional tools that are extremely valuable to police officers in the province,” noting it allows officers to make immediate seizures and deal with certain items “far more efficiently than we would with a criminal code.”

New security cameras

Council also approved spending up to $20,000 from the emergency-services budget to install two new security cameras downtown. The cameras will expand the city’s existing network and cover “areas of safety concern.”

Administration said the footage will not be monitored in real time but can be accessed by RCMP or Community Safety Officers as needed. Each access will be logged and audited, and signs will be posted to notify the public where cameras are located.

“Just to reassure council and the public that these aren’t used for surveillance. Therefore, after an incident has been reported, we can go back and get that evidence and proceed in court,” How said.

Downtown bench removal

The meeting also saw council adopt a one-year trial removing most benches from the downtown core. The plan, recommended by City Manager Randy Patrick, is described as a “proactive test” to address complaints from businesses and residents about loitering, littering and public image.

Patrick’s report notes that while the benches were installed as part of a larger downtown revitalization effort, they have since been linked to “increased loitering and gatherings,” which in some cases led to confrontations and safety concerns.

The trial will help determine whether their absence improves safety and cleanliness while the city explores new bench designs that discourage prolonged occupancy but still provide a place to rest.

Coun. Kent Lindgren supported the trial but questioned whether it tackles the deeper social problems affecting the area.

“I have mixed feelings because I’m not sure if this addresses the real underlying issue,” Lindgren said.

“We are facing some challenges that many other cities and towns across our country are also facing, around addiction, around mental illness, around housing… my hope is that if this goes forward, that we are then engaging in those conversations around the real issues that lead to the challenges.”

Mayor Kelli Hawtin said the initiative stems from discussions within her downtown safety advisory committee, which includes business owners, property managers and social-service representatives.

“If a temporary movement of some of these benches improves people’s feelings of safety downtown… everybody needs to feel safe downtown, whether you’re shopping there or you’re accessing services,” Hawtin told council.

The city will cover removal costs through existing budgets, and any replacements will be considered in the 2027 capital cycle.

All three initiatives support community safety and wellness, in line with council’s strategic plan.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com