Media Release - Crime Suppression Team Targeting Property Crime; Break and Enter Reports Trending Down

The Crime Suppression Team has identified and arrested numerous suspects wanted on outstanding warrants and laid charges in connection with break and enters and weapons complaints. Crime Suppression Team members have arrested 11 people in recent weeks with known ties to illegal activity or gangs and recovered numerous items stolen from local residents.

“The role of the Crime Suppression Team is to take a comprehensive look at these incidents and determine how they might be connected and who the common suspects are,” said Insp. Tadd Kellett. “Many times, we see the same individuals involved in property thefts and related gun and weapons offences, so it’s important to have this dedicated team of officers sharing information and coordinating a proactive response.”

The Crime Suppression Team includes various members of the police service who can be deployed at key times. Members of this task force also conduct regular neighbourhood patrols and support the Prince Albert Police Service’s Integrated Crime Reduction Team (ICRT), Street Enforcement Team (SET), Canine, and Police and Crisis Teams (PACT) on their shared mandates of gang suppression and prevention of illegal gun and weapons violence.

In the past few weeks, reports of break and enters have dropped, from 22 the week of Sept. 28; to 12 over this past week. Insp. Kellett said the work of the Crime Suppression Team is making an impact. “Stolen property is often used to obtain other illicit items, such as drugs or weapons, and can be a factor in violent offences in our community,” he said.

“Through proactive policing and a focus on trends, members of the Crime Suppression Team can continue to target and arrest those responsible for property crime and our related gang and weapons offences that affect the safety of local residents and their property.”