SASKATOON — The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) conducted a 10-day enforcement project that led to almost 200 arrests and the seizure of weapons and drugs across the city.
Between May 19 and 30, SPS conducted the high visibility enforcement and crime disruption project within areas of increased criminal activity as part of a proactive approach to a city-wide safety plan.
The project, organized by the Criminal Investigations Bureau with the support of the Patrol Bureau and Operational Support Bureau, redeployed resources from the Crime Reduction Team, Break and Enter Comprehensive Action Program, Guns and Gangs Unit, Warrant Enforcement Unit, Tactical Support Unit, Alternative Response Unit, and Serious Violent Offender Response Program in a highly visible capacity to respond to in-progress violent crime and conduct priority violent offender management.
As a result of this project, a total of 578 project-initiated calls for service were generated and 256 patrol-level responses were made leading to 196 new arrests and 181 new charges laid on 98 persons. Through this proactive initiative, 292 outstanding warrants were also executed on 117 offenders. In addition to these arrests, police seized; one real and three imitation firearms, 23 bladed weapons, six canisters of bear spray, five blunt weapons, and the following quantities of drugs including 20.37 grams of methamphetamine, 16.65 grams of cocaine, 7.38 grams of fentanyl, 17 gabapentin pills, 2 pregabalin pills, and 1 unknown pill.
“This project demonstrates that strategic investment in the right resources being deployed with purpose and supported by partnership can suppress crime in our community while removing violent offenders and dangerous weapons from our streets,” said Chief Cameron McBride, “Pairing community partnerships with focused enforcement is a key component to keeping Saskatoon safe.”
Through a whole-of-city approach to safety, the Saskatoon Police Service remains committed to working collaboratively with public safety and community partners to proactively address crime in our community while prioritizing investigations into outstanding warrants that involve prolific violent offenders.
Community members are encouraged to continue reporting crime and suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods to police by calling 306-975-8300 or, in an emergency, 911. SPS says that every report made matters, assisting in analyzing crime and informing police of what resources are needed and where.
