Between June 10th and 21st, the Saskatoon Police Service conducted a high visibility enforcement and crime disruption project within areas of increased criminal activity as part of a proactive approach to a city-wide safety plan. The project, organized by the Criminal Investigations Bureau 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, Warrant Enforcement Unit, Tactical Support Unit, Alternative Response Unit, and Serious Violent Offender Response Program 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 643 project-initiated calls for service were generated leading to 176 arrests and 183 new charges laid on 81 persons. Through this proactive initiative, 220 outstanding warrants were also executed on 119 offenders. In addition to these arrests, police seized; one real and four imitation firearms, 25 bladed weapons, 13 canisters of bear spray, four blunt weapons, $6085 in currency, and the following quantities of drugs:
- 24.27 grams of fentanyl
- 44.26 grams of methamphetamine
- 103.53 grams of cocaine
- 40 hydromorphone pills
- 42 oxycodone pills
- 14 risperidone pills
- 14 olanzapine pills
- 24 grams of psilocybin mushrooms
- 1.5 grams of hydromorphone
“This project is a proven example of how the right resources, in the right place, and at the right time can suppress crime in our community while removing violent offenders and dangerous weapons from our streets.”, says Chief Cameron McBride, “This balanced approach to community engagement and strategic enforcement through a city-wide safety plan is paramount to addressing violent crime in Saskatoon.”
Through a whole-of-city approach to safety, the Saskatoon Police Service remains committed to working collaboratively with public safety and community partners to proactively address crime in our community while prioritizing investigations into outstanding warrants that involve prolific violent offenders. Community members are encouraged to continue reporting crime and suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods to police by calling 306-975-8300 or, in an emergency, 9-1-1. Every report made matters; assisting in analyzing crime and informing police what resources are needed and where.
