(file photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Eye on safety

City looking at requesting SCAN investigation unit for Battlefords

Aug 24, 2021 | 2:26 PM

The City of North Battleford is looking at requesting the province support a new Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) investigation unit for the Battlefords area.

SCAN, which investigates properties where illegal activity is taking place, currently has units stationed in Prince Albert and Saskatoon, as well as one in Regina.

While the organization does cover the full region, local council believes it would be an advantage if SCAN had members dedicated to the Battlefords, to help reduce crime and make the community safer.

At a recent council meeting, Bruce Ehalt, SCAN North program manager, gave an update on the organization’s work.

“We’re basically the eyes that go around in the neighbourhood, trying to figure out what’s going on if there is a particular problem at a property,” he said. “Once we have made that determination based on I’ll call it our many years of experience, we then pass that information forward to the RCMP or the local police to allow them to make their determination on what they would like to do with that property.”

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The team deals with problem properties using civil process under the SCAN legislation established through the province.

“I think we can send a message out there that we are ready to do more work in North Battleford, and that we are willing to work more with what you have in place. I think we can enhance that,” Ehalt told council.

He added the organization can always use more resources, as it covers a wide area.

“I can always use more members,” he said. “That’s always an ongoing issue. Numbers have gone up. We need more guys.”

Councillor Greg Lightfoot suggested the city put forth a request to the province for resources for a SCAN team for the Battlefords and area.

City administration will bring back a possible resolution for council to consider at its next meeting.

In the North region, SCAN currently has three investigators in Prince Albert and six investigators in Saskatoon. The toll free number for Prince Albert and Saskatoon units serving this region is 1-855-933-6411.

A unit based in Regina can be reached at 1-866-51-SAFER.

SCAN reminds people that anyone who provides information on a property to SCAN will not be asked to participate in the court process.

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow