Between June 18th and June 29th, the Saskatoon Police Service conducted a high visibility enforcement and crime disruption project within areas of increased criminal activity in Saskatoon. The project, developed by the Criminal Investigations Division with the support of the Special Uniform Operations Division, redeployed resources from the Crime Reduction Team, Break and Enter Comprehensive Action Program, Guns and Gangs Unit, and Tactical Support Unit in a highly visible capacity to respond to in-progress violent crime and conduct priority violent offender management.
As a result of this project, a total of 567 proactive calls for service were generated by police officers leading to 117 arrests and 182 new charges issued on 61 persons; several persons were also taken into custody on various outstanding warrants relating but not limited to drugs, weapons, assaults, and breach of conditions. In addition to these arrests, 19 bladed weapons, 8 firearms, 7 cans of bear spray, and 8 blunt or assorted weapons were removed from the streets alongside drugs, ammunition, stolen property, and illegal cigarettes.
“In order to sustain a safe community, it is imperative that we use a balanced approach of community engagement and strategic enforcement.”, says Chief Cameron McBride, “This includes the arrest of violent offenders and the removal of weapons from our streets. Developing and implementing focused enforcement plans will certainly help to address the increase in violent crime we have seen this year.”
Through a whole-of-city approach, the Saskatoon Police Service remains committed to working collaboratively with public safety and community partners to proactively address crime and safety in our neighbourhoods while prioritizing investigations into outstanding warrants that involve violent offenders. Always report crime and suspicious activity in your neighbourhood to police by calling 306-975-8300 or, in an emergency, 9-1-1. Continued reporting assists police in analyzing crime trends and allocating resources to where they’re most effective.