By Derek Cornet

Air Ronge Council approved Hub funding request to reduce crime

Nov 28, 2018 | 11:00 AM

Air Ronge Council voted to fund a policing model proven to be successful at reducing crime Nov. 27 at a regular meeting.

Delegates from the community mobilization team called the Hub were in attendance and asked for a funding commitment of $10,000 per year to assist with operations. Hub Coordinator Andrea Cowan and committee member Wendy Ahenakew described how the Hub includes agencies from across the tri-communities and works to deliver services to young people deemed to be elevated risk cases. While the delegation didn’t receive all of what they requested, Air Ronge council decided to commit $7,500 per year covering 2019 and 2020.

“I’m super happy to see the village is willing to contribute,” Cowan said. “To me it shows they recognize the work being done by the Hub and those agencies involved.”

With the Town of La Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band already committing $10,000 per year for some time, the funds are used to pay Cowan’s wage as she’s responsible for organizing the Hub and communication between all parties involved. She works 20 hours per week in the position and called the funding essential. By having all three communities commit to funding the Hub, Cowan stated it will help when it comes to solving social issues and creating a safer place to live.

While the Hub targets many people including young adults, Cowan noted many of the clients served are under the age of 12. She also added there’s been a steady rise of cases in recent years with 70 so far in 2018, 37 in 2017 and 27 in 2016. In 2016 and 2017, 70 per cent of clients examined by the Hub accepted services offered while 77 per cent have done so this year.

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“This initiative, since 2012, has done a lot of really good work,” Cowan said. “It’s a proven model in other communities. Prince Albert started the first Hub in Saskatchewan and since then it’s taken off.”

Air Ronge Mayor Gordon Stomp stated council was supportive of the Hub because they understand the important work it’s doing and the benefits it brings to the region. In regards to not fully meeting the funding request, he stated $7,500 per year was fair due to the smaller population in the village.

“We’re also looking at the continuous funding of the agencies or the regional-type operation we have here,” Stomp said. “It’s pretty much on a per capita basis, so we felt Air Ronge could commit a little less funding because of the population distribution.”

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno