Dear Editor
I am a North Battleford resident and there are many good characteristics of this city. My street is cleared of snow at least five times a year. North Battleford city crews were filling pot holes in front of my house during the Easter holidays. City council handles traffic as a safety issue, not to make money (no red light cameras.) There are no disgusting smelly garbage cans in front of my house. We have only one monument to City Council, which is the Credit Union CUPlex. The Credit Union CUPlex costs an extra levy of $175 per year.
Crime and lack of effort by the RCMP are a problem in this city. I believe a lot of crime is simply not reported. I reported crimes to the RCMP three times (twice the criminal was handed over to the RCMP) and nothing happened. My truck was broken into four times in a year and a half with the ignition system wrecked twice. Not reported. Neighbours have had sheds and vehicles broken into. Not reported. If you try to stop the criminal activity, you can be charged.
I have lived in Moose Jaw, Regina and Saskatoon that have good city police departments. City police have more at stake in the community because they usually live and work in that community for their entire careers. If North Battleford wants change, they should get a city police force.
City council needs to talk to store owners and people on the street about crime. Because the News-Optimist does not usually report crimes, it does not mean crime does not exist.
Gordon Dykstra
North Battleford
Editor's note: The News-Optimist and Regional Optimist do report on all information provided by the RCMP.
