Crime in Saskatoon: We're # 3

Crime rate in Saskatchewan down; still highest in Canada
Saskatoon’s crime rate fell by 10 per cent in 2008, while Saskatchewan's reported crime rate and overall crime severity has dropped for the fifth consecutive year, according to statistics released Tuesday by the Canadian Centre for Justice.
At the same time, Saskatchewan still has the highest police-reported crime rate and crime severity index value in Canada.
So crime is down in Saskatoon. Thats good but we're still #3 in the nation and its still happening too often
.Home Invasion in Broad Daylight (This mornings headline)
A man was bound and robbed at his home in Saskatoon yesterday afternoon.
It was shortly before 5:30 yesterday afternoon when a 24 year old man was just getting home, in the 800 block of 6th Avenue North, that he was confronted by suspects who were armed with what looked like a gun.
They tied him up and then made off with the victim's vehicle and some personal effects. He wasn't hurt and managed to get free to call police. Saskatoon Police are still looking for suspects.

Now I realize sporadic crime can happen in any city at any time but the problem in Saskatoon is it just seems to be much more than sporadic, its happening all the day. And the amount of broad daylight attacks really seems to have increased this year.
I recently wrote a piece about crime in Saskatoon and received a letter from Saskatoon's Police Chief, Clive Weighill.
I print the letter here and for what its worth, I agree with the Chief. The Saskatoon Police Service can not do it all.
The responsibility also lies within the justice system with weak laws and the Canadian court custom of "Catch and Release"
Add to that defense lawyers that will seize on any loop in the law. Consider the court case that was just tossed out this week.
An Ontario police officer makes a good bust, stopping a car and finding a million dollars worth of illegal drugs. The case is tossed out because the police officer in the court's opinion did not have probable cause to stop the car. Completely ridiculous and "only in Canada you say" Anyway here is the letter from the Chief.

Mr. Hiatt:

I have been forwarded your letter to City Council dated July 7, 2009. I thank you for your concern regarding crime in Saskatoon. Let me assure you that I do not take the recent incidents lightly, nor am not in a state of denial regarding violent attacks in Saskatoon. Our Service is working diligently to prevent such attacks and investigate occurrences. We have made arrests in connection with most of the incidents.

Please do not take my comments in the media or on the Gormely show out of context. Yes we do have crime in Saskatoon and it must be addressed. I am simply saying that in comparing criminal activity, we compare very favorably for the quality of life in this city. I am not saying we do not have crime in Saskatoon, I am simply saying that overall we are making a difference and crime is reducing. We cannot prevent every criminal incident, but we are reducing the frequency. The cities I mentioned have been victimized with shootouts in grocery store lots, assassinations of women at streetlights, and gangland assassinations. Vancouver had 32 shootings with 15 deaths in a one month period. The comparisons are certainly not to downplay the victimization of even one citizen of Saskatoon.

Just to provide you with a few facts.
· We arrested 800 more people in 2008 than we did in 2007. In 2007 we arrested 1400 more people than we did in 2006. As a police service we are holding criminals accountable.
· Our traffic enforcement has increased by 20%
· Crime both violent and property have dropped 8% in actual incidents, even though the city continues to grow

I would suggest the problems of crime are not solely controlled by the police. Many social conditions are contributors to the crime problem. In particular, we live in a city where 20% of the population is marginalized and living in poverty, poor housing, and family dysfunction. Layered on top of that is racism and poor outlook for optimism. We could hire many additional police officers, but if we don’t improve the social conditions crime will continue to be the outcome. Don’t forget the courts also have a role to play in this issue.

I certainly agree with you that violent crime must be curbed. The police service however is only one piece to the puzzle in eliminating crime. Should you wish to discuss this matter further please do hesitate to call me at 975-8250 or come to my office at your convenience and we could have a conversation.

Clive Weighill
Chief of Police

No argument from me on that letter and thanks for the response