Coun. Don Buglas shown at council Monday. Council approved the mayor's proposal to write a letter to candidates in the federal election on how they plan to reduce crime and improve the criminal justice system in this area. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Focus on reducing crime

City to probe federal election candidates on tackling crime

Sep 25, 2019 | 5:00 PM

North Battleford City Hall plans to send a letter to federal election candidates in an effort to see what they propose to do to help battle crime in the area.

Mayor Ryan Bater raised the issue at council’s meeting Monday, saying the aim is to elicit feedback.

Council gave the mayor approval to write a non-partisan letter to all candidates running for election in the Battlefords-Lloydminster riding as well as their party leaders to determine what plans and platforms they have to address issues with the criminal justice system, to reduce crime in this area.

“Hopefully, we get some responses to get a better understanding of what each of the federal party’s views are, because obviously we have a stake in that as a local government,” Bater said. “We’re genuinely curious to know what their plans are.”

The mayor said the city has a “rare opportunity right now” since those running in the federal election recently started their campaigns.

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Bater said federal policies have an impact on the North Battleford community.

“Specifically I am wondering about the criminal justice system. We know we have challenges in that area. We have challenges with organized criminal activity, and the like,” he said.

Coun. Greg Lightfoot supported the mayor’s proposal.

He said it would be helpful to know more details about recent announcements related to gang initiatives the federal government is funding within the province.

Lightfoot also commented he believes there is a backlog in the criminal justice system.

“I would like to see some answers on that,” he said. “If there is a backlog and a lot of extra work for the judges, legal assistants and prosecutors, then maybe we need to find out why that is, and maybe there could be some changes made into that.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow