In a short but significant media conference Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 15, the City of Estevan made public acknowledgment of the $300,000 contribution by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice to provide support for three specific policing positions in the City's municipal police force.
Estevan MLA Doreen Eagles told an assembled gathering of about a dozen people that the funds highlight the work of the Estevan Police Service (EPS).
"Crime is a concern and with these additional funds you can target high risk crime areas with specific policing initiatives," Eagles said, noting that time allocated to investigative work will be enhanced through this support.
Eagles noted that across the province, crime rates involving young people have dropped by three to four per cent and it has been proven that when certain areas of crime are targeted, and efficiencies are applied, the crime rate decreases.
"Estevan is one of the fastest growing communities in the province, so this is part of our commitment for an additional 120 police officers across the province, which, by the way, has been met."
Mayor Roy Ludwig said that while crime rates were down in Saskatchewan, they were unfortunately up in this city, so it was good to see acknowledgement of the problem and the additional support.
EPS Chief Del Block said the funds will help police officers respond to needs more effectively.
"The city has been fortunate to have this economic boom ... that's the positive. But it has also brought with it some negative challenges. We've set some new records for crime here in the past four years and those are Statistics Canada numbers, not ours. We've had to go from being proactive to being reactive and that's not what we want," said Block. "We need to go back. We've needed the additional resources. We will be able to retain a full time resource officer for our schools. We have found that this has been an opportunity to form positive relationships with students. The additional funding also allows me to have people on full time for organized crime investigations and communications with outside agencies."
Block went on to state that with targeted policing moves, there was proof positive that it works.
"Drug enforcement was one of our targets and our annual report says drug activity in Estevan has dropped. So thanks to the ministry, thanks to Doreen for bringing us this message."
The ceremony was chaired by Coun. Kevin Smith, chairman of the Estevan Board of Police Commissioners.
"Please take the word back to the government that we appreciate their continued support," he told Eagles.
The funding was provided through the Enhanced Community Policing Program and the Organized/Serious Crimes Task Force Program.
Eagles said she was acting on behalf of Christine Tell, minister responsible for Corrections and Policing, in delivering the positive message.
EPS numbers have been restored recently and are now at the point where the department is up to full strength with the addition of Consts. Landon Polk and Paul Chabot in mid Dec. along with Mike Hamel and Mischa Shewchuk, two other recent graduates of the provincial Police College, Block said.
