Chief Peter Beatty (left) discusses community safety issues in PBCN communities with Director General Adrian Walraven of the Indigenous Affairs Branch at Public Safety Canada. (Tina Pelletier/submitted)

By paNOW Staff

Increased crime

PBCN meets with Public Safety Canada to discuss safety concerns in Pelican Narrows

Apr 27, 2024 | 1:46 PM

A meeting between Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) leaders and the Director General of Public Safety Canada was held in Pelican Narrows on Thursday to discuss some urgent safety issues in the community.

The leadership of PBCN welcomed Director General Adrian Walraven to the community for the meeting, which was also attended by Saskatchewan’s Executive Director of First Nations and Indigenous Policing Matthew Mirasty.

The meeting came after PBCN’s urgent call to Ottawa over escalating violence and crime rates in Pelican Narrows.

“Engaging with Mr. Walraven marks a key step toward addressing the safety challenges in our communities,” said PBCN Chief Peter Beatty.

“Pelican Narrows is under tremendous strain – we are dealing with a Crime Severity Index six times above the province’s average with violent crimes having doubled in the past four years. It’s clear that our situation demands immediate action.”

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Executive Director Matt Mirasty of First Nations and Indigenous Policing, Prince Albert Ministry of Corrections, and Policing and Public Safety speaks to the commitment of the provincial government to supporting community policing initiatives. (Tina Pelletier/submitted)

According to recent statistics, weapons charges have tripled in the community while justice administration offences saw a 154 per cent increase, which now sit at a rate of 33,444 per 100,000 people.

The rise in crime sparks concerns for the RCMP in Pelican Narrows as they currently operate with only 10 officers despite being authorized for 15.

Following a brief tour of the community, discussions focused on numerous critical issues like housing shortages, the RCMP’s understaffing, the necessity for specialized policing strategies, the call for federal financial support for anti-gang and violence prevention initiatives, and the need for enhancing local infrastructure to strengthen emergency responses and alert systems.

PBCN’s request for assistance was previously acknowledged by Federal Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc, which highlighted recent investments in First Nations policing intended to support the transition to self-administered policing services and the improvement of community policing.

“The collaboration between our nation and federal partners is vital for the safety and future prosperity of our community,” said Chief Beatty. “We look forward to the swift implementation of our discussions and are hopeful for the continued support from Mr. Walraven and the federal government.”

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panews@pattisonmedia.com