The front of the Town of Battleford building. (file photo/ battlefordsNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

CRIME DROP

‘A safe community to live in’: Focused policing efforts lower crime in Battleford

Feb 19, 2025 | 11:55 AM

The latest fourth-quarter report from the RCMP for 2024 revealed that the Town of Battleford experienced an overall nine per cent reduction in crime compared to the same period in 2023 (October to December).

Assaults saw a noticeable drop, down 27 per cent. Provincial traffic offences, including speeding and impaired driving, also fell by 31 per cent. Meanwhile, break and enter offences significantly decreased, dropping 56 per cent — from 16 cases in 2023 to just seven.

Over the past five years, there had been a general drop of 21 per cent, from 1,363 cases in 2020 to 1,083 last year.

Speaking to council at Tuesday’s regular meeting, Battlefords RCMP Detachment Inspector Ryan How attributed the decline to the work of the Gang Task Force (GTF) and the Crime Reduction Team (CRT).

He noted that these teams have been targeting prolific offenders and gang-related violence with what he described as “surgical and precise” operations.

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

12 Best Tips to Spend Less at Christmas

Nov 18, 2025

Cybercrime response

Prince Albert Police Service 'limited in scope' to properly investigate fraud crimes

Nov 17, 2025

“The way these teams operate is, they’re able to suppress gang violence and allow the detachment to return to normal operations, responding to calls and increasing visibility,” How said. “It’s a consistent trend we’re seeing across the province.”

Ryan How. (Submitted Photo/Ryan How)

Mayor Ames Leslie echoed How’s assessment, pointing to the success of removing “significant, repetitive crime elements” from the community.

“It’s not a random crime,” Leslie said. “They are focusing on the same individuals who are adding to the crime element, and they’re starting to have success. That’s contributing to the numbers coming down.”

While the statistical drop in property crime was also noted, How offered a word of caution, warning that decreases in property-related incidents could sometimes reflect a lack of public reporting rather than an actual decline.

“I’m always worried about the lack of reporting, which shows a false drop in crime,” he said, encouraging ongoing public engagement with police.

Council members raised concerns about recent large-scale ATM thefts. However, How pointed out that these incidents are largely targeted at those involved in high-risk lifestyles, rather than random acts of violence

Read more: Large scale RCMP investigation leads to multiple charges in bank robbery, ATM thefts

“This is a safe community to live in,” How said. “The vast majority of citizens are safe. The risks are elevated exponentially for those living a high-risk lifestyle.”

Both How and Leslie acknowledged that addressing the root causes of crime goes beyond policing.

How stressed that long-term solutions require stronger engagement from social service partners, explaining that RCMP officers are often the default responders to crises beyond their training, such as mental health emergencies.

“We’re not specifically trained to de-escalate and deal with people in mental health crises,” he said. “It’s up to us to push back and say that’s not our job, but being one of the few 24-hour services in the community, it falls on us.”

Looking ahead, the RCMP and the Saskatchewan Marshals Service will soon work together to support the region, and Leslie is confident in their cooperative approach.

Read more: Sask. Marshals Service launch raises staffing concerns in Battlefords

“That gave me the highest level of confidence that these two law enforcement agencies are going to be a benefit for our community,” he said.

As winter slows criminal activity, they are hopeful that the progress made through focused policing will continue into the warmer months.

—

Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com