By Clark Stork

RCMP host open forum in Nipawin

Mar 29, 2018 | 8:00 AM

A series of public meetings at Northeast RCMP detachments continued Wednesday night in Nipawin.

Depots from across Saskatchewan have held the open forums to cover crime stats, performance plans and allow the public to ask questions. Staff Sgt. Darren Wouters said the turnout was greater in Smeaton Tuesday night, but the attendance in Nipawin was also encouraging.

“From what I saw, people are willing to get involved, whether it’s rural crime watch or a citizen on patrol program, or helping us put together work plan initiatives for our annual performance plan,” he said.

Wouters told the crowd both the Nipawin and Smeaton detachments are at full staff strength. He said the members aren’t overworked, but noted wait times will always exist in rural areas.

“Most detachments run at adequate capacity when at full strength,” he said. “There are various types of leaves within detachments make it tougher to meet the workload, but they have guidelines and when we are at full staff we can police effectively.”  

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The right to protect property wasn’t brought up from the floor, despite the question being posed during meetings in Carrot River, Hudson Bay, and Melfort. Wouters said he wasn’t surprised the topic didn’t come up, as the Northeast seems to be avoiding serious rural issues.

“We do have some rural crime, but it’s not significant,” he said. “We haven’t had any real volatile situations regarding property crime. People are tired of having batteries stolen or people being on their property but, for the most part, people have used common sense.”

Wouters urged residents, to call the police and report any crime, no matter how small.

The Tisdale RCMP will host their public meeting Thursday night.

clark.stork@jpbg.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork