Outrage has been expressed over a resolution passed Tuesday at the convention of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations was reacting to a resolution put forward by the Rural Municipality of Kindersley, calling on SARM to lobby the federal department of justice.
The resolution stated:
“Whereas crime has increased substantially in rural communities and whereas individuals do not have sufficient rights to protect themselves and property;
Be it resolved that SARM lobby the federal government to expand the rights and justification for an individual to defend or protect himself, herself and person under their care and their property.”
That resolution passed by a wide margin. In response, FSIN issued a news release in which it stated its executive was “shocked and disgusted at the violent intentions behind the resolution” passed at the convention.
“We at the FSIN believe that this resolution propels and encourages violence,” said FSIN Vice-Chief Kim Jonathan. “Any strengthening of the rights of individuals to defend their property will result in an increase in violent confrontation and the deaths of more innocent people.”
The organization also stated that it “condemns any resolution that seeks to allow civilians to take the law into their hands. It is the responsibility of the police and RCMP to enforce the criminal code, not property owners.”
Meanwhile, the RCMP issued its own release advising they will not be providing comment on the resolution.
Instead, they urged property owners to “consider prevention and safety first,” suggesting they secure property with strong locks and remove keys from vehicles, stay aware and observant, not attempt to confront or pursue suspects and reporting crime and suspicious activity to police and be prepared to provide as much information as possible.
The RCMP also encouraged communities to explore community policing programs such as Rural Crime Watch or Citizens on Patrol.
