Battlefords RCMP, backed up by F Division brass, hosted a town hall meeting in Battleford last Tuesday.
Of course the provincial media were there with their minds firmly fixed on Statistics Canada’s Crime Severity Index, racism and other forms of negativity. That’s what they do. I doubt the outcome of their coverage reflected any of the tireless work being done to try to address the sources of problems in the community. And, the fact those problems are the region’s problems, and not just this community’s, seems to go largely unnoticed.
John Cairns provided his usual straightforward coverage of the meeting, noting that while discussion was lively and far-reaching, the mood was respectful and the exchanges productive.
Solutions were discussed, with the idea of using drones to patrol streets at night ruled out due to the high cost of the technology. Which brings us back to people patrols.
One of the Chamber of Commerce Action Battlefords initiatives is beefing up Citizens on Patrol, targeting petty crime hot spots with an eye to deterring the group mentality that type of activity breeds. Anyone concerned about their property and the property of others can be involved. Everyone can make a difference.
