North must work together on safety after Pelican Narrows deaths: Belanger

The federal government has taken some steps to address crime and violence rates, such as bail reform for repeat/violent offenders and tougher sentencing for serious and violent crimes. The provincial government has also passed legislation that allows them to recover their costs from dealers or distributors, and both government and people can sue those whose drug activity caused harm.

Those initiatives, however, are aimed at a problem that already exists, and do not address the root causes of crime, such as housing, mental health support, services or programming.

“I heard during our travels that whoever spends the most time with these young kids and the youth that are in our communities, that’s who they’ll stay with,” Belanger said.

That makes supporting the people who are spending time with those youth a key priority.

Belanger pointed to ideas such as community safety officers, stronger mental health supports for youth, and more opportunities in sports and culture.

“We have to get serious about building a solid community safety plan where we don’t run into these situations ever,” he said.

Belanger said strong families, local organizations and school- and health-based supports all have a role to play in helping young people before they are drawn into violence, gangs or addiction.

“There’s a lot of really good people doing good work at the local level,” he said, adding that communities need to support the people already trying to make a positive difference.

At the same time, Belanger said the RCMP should not be singled out for blame, arguing officers in Pelican Narrows are working under difficult conditions and do not have a full complement of staff.

“I think being critical of the RCMP is not a good start,” he said. “The guys that are out there, they work very hard, and they’re doing their darndest to make sure that Pelican Narrows stays safe.”

Saskatchewan RCMP said violent crime in the Pelican Narrows detachment area fell 31 per cent from January to May compared with the same period in 2025. It was a drop that translated into 100 fewer victims of assault, as well as decreases in firearms offences and harassment or uttering threats. Police said overall crime levels in 2026 are trending lower than they have over the past five years.

But the RCMP said the numbers do not tell the full story. Pelican Narrows has recorded the province’s highest violent Crime Severity Index each year since 2021 compared with other police services in Saskatchewan.

Over a 10-year period, from 2016 to 2025, violent crime in the detachment area increased 49 per cent. Over the five-year period from 2021 to 2025, it was unchanged, and from 2024 to 2025 it fell one per cent.

The RCMP said violence, addictions and other complex social issues continue to drive calls for service, and that law enforcement is only one part of the response.

The force said it has deployed relief officers and specialized units aimed at removing illicit drugs, illegal weapons and dangerous offenders from the community.

The Saskatchewan Marshals Service said it has been working in Pelican Narrows at the RCMP’s request since June 2. The service said five marshals are currently deployed in the community and are available to support the RCMP on apprehensions, gang violence, patrols and other policing priorities set by the police of jurisdiction.

Belanger offered up his personal condolences to the families of the recent victims of crime in Pelican Narrows. Teenager Jay’siiah Webb-Long’s body was recently discovered a year after he had been reported missing and was quickly followed by the homicide of 26-year-old Jaden Custer on May 21 then Kianna Custer on June 1.

“When we look at the families and the loved ones lost and the impact it’s had on their family health, we want to offer condolences to the family of those that the person that lost their lives and those that are fighting for a full recovery. You know, these are things that I think are really important to say at the outset,” he said.

Brett McCallum, age 31 is charged with the homicide of Jaden Custer but no arrests have been made in the deaths of Jay’siiah Webb-Long or Kianna Custer.

-with files from paNOW’s Nigel Maxwell

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

by Susan McNeil

North must work together on safety after Pelican Narrows deaths: Belanger

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