Concerns from local residents about the crime situation in Battleford made their way to Town Hall Monday.
On Monday, council received a letter from a resident of Battle Springs Way, co-signed by seven other residents of the street.
The letter pointed to an increase in property crime in the neighbourhood from vandalism and thefts. Among the incidents cited were car shopping, a truck theft and a firearms incident.
The letter also noted Battle Springs Way backs on to undeveloped green space with direct access to Highway 4, and is across the street from a playground and park area. Both open areas have been used as thoroughfares and hiding places for those involved in the incidents, it stated.
As for proposed solutions, one suggestion was for more lighting in the area to “force criminals out of the shadows.”
It appears that is what council will be moving ahead with. Mayor Ames Leslie told reporters Monday that the intention is to add light standards to the area to increase lighting.
The intention is to put the light standards up in the spring. The work is covered under the 2020 budget and that discussion happened prior to council receiving the letter from Battle Springs residents.
Leslie also noted there has been “a very focused effort” by the RCMP and crime prevention teams in the Battlefords to address the crime issues in the area.
He did cite progress. Leslie pointed out that until this weekend there had been a minimal number of shootings lately.
“The crime prevention team is working very hard in the community to try and take away this criminal element in the Battlefords,” said Leslie. “It’s not perfect yet but they are doing a really good job to reduce the amount of crime that’s happening.”
