The Prince Albert Board of Police Commissioners held a meeting this morning to receive an overview and update on the efforts being made by Chief Jonathan Bergen and the members of
the Prince Albert Police Service to address recent incidents of violent crime.
Members of the Board would like to offer their thoughts and sentiments to families of those who have been seriously injured or killed due to recent violence in our community.
The Board acknowledges and supports the measures being taken by the Prince Albert Police Administration and all members of the Prince Albert Police Service to re-allocate and maximize resources to address the increased crime and violence being seen in our City during the pandemic.
Chief Bergen is committed to high-visibility patrol by all members in an effort to achieve proactive preventive enforcement and this will include supplementing with partnering agencies. Community safety remains a priority for the Board.
The Police Service has announced the creation of a new crime suppression team focused on crime trends, including gang activity, gun violence and property crime. The new team will work in addition to the police service’s other targeted enforcement units, including the Integrated Crime Reduction Team (ICRT), the Street Enforcement Team (SET), Canine section, and the Police and Crisis Team (PACT).
The Board would like to express their utmost appreciation to the members of the Police Service who are working long hours, and to their families, for the daily sacrifices being made for the community.
“Any level of violence in our community is concerning to the Board”, said Board Chair Sheryl Kimbley. “The Board would like to reassure the public that as a Police Service, our members
are working hard to identify and arrest those responsible for violent crime in our community. Our members are being diligent in various initiatives designed to prevent and suppress gang violence
and recruitment.”
The Board would like to acknowledge the efforts of Chief Bergen to support the members and their health and wellness. Chief Bergen is grateful for the long hours and recognizes their personal sacrifices as individual members when the community needs them most.
“Our police members, including front-line staff, police investigators and specialized members, remain committed to targeting crime and illegal activity in our community,” Chief Bergen stated.
“They are working tirelessly to investigate and charge those responsible for threatening the safety of our community,” added Chief Bergen. “These events are traumatic for families who have lost a loved one and for the community, and they weigh heavily on our police members.”
The Board would like to encourage our residents to play a proactive role by reporting suspicious activity to police and ensuring their properties are locked to deter property crime. The Board will continue to lobby the Provincial and Federal Government for funding to address gangs, crime and violence. The Board feels strongly that more funding is needed in our community to address and target threats due to illegal gang activity, weapons complaints, mental health concerns and drug and alcohol addictions.
“I would like to thank the exceptional and continued leadership and dedication by Chief Bergen and his Administrative Team” said Mayor Dionne. “We know our local front-line members are focused on public safety and supporting the health of all members of our community and we appreciate their commitment and dedication.”
The Board acknowledges the traumatic effect violence has on our community and would like to thank members with the Prince Albert Police Service for their unwavering commitment to public safety and their diligent efforts to investigate violent crime.
“As a Board, we support the safety and wellbeing of our members and value their dedication to the safety of others in our community” said Board Chair Sheryl Kimbley.