Council candidates talk crime reduction ahead of election

“The majority of crime happens overnight and I want [CSOs] to appear to be more than bylaw officers handing out tickets for traffic infractions,” Turcotte said.

Turcotte and Cormons admit increased responsibility for Community Safety Officers won’t solve crime single-handedly. They also want the provincial government involved and aren’t afraid to “rattle a few cages” to get what they think the city needs.

“As a councillor I will lobby for our city and one of the first things would be funding for the HUB. We were told that there would be funding and we never got it. I will be the squeaky wheel. I promise that,” Cormons said.

Candidate Wayne Ray said youth crime is a major problem and doesn’t think the current council is doing enough to address the issue.

“I think we have to have an enhanced strategy set around youth crime. I know council worked really hard and have made some inroads, but I think there are some things that need to be changed,” Ray said.

Ray isn’t the only one who thinks the current council isn’t doing enough. He, Turcotte and Cormons all agreed the approach council has taken over the last 20 years isn’t working. They felt implementation and enforcement of a curfew bylaw would go a long way in reducing crime like “car shopping.”

Other candidates felt the tough approach wasn’t necessary. Herman Bugler Jr. said councillors should focus on preventative measures opposed to disciplinary action. He also felt the mending of North Battlefords “fractured” relations between First Nation and non-First Nations, would go a long way.

“There is a lot of fear in the city right now,” Bugler said. “I think we have to break down the stereotypes. We only ever hear about the negative things First Nations do. When we talk about preventative measures, one step is breaking down the fear. There are a lot of people doing great things that should be celebrated.”

Incumbents Don Buglas and Kathy Richardson said crime reduction can be achieved as easily as people getting to know their neighbors.

“If everyone starts watching out for each other … it will discourage crime on our property. The answer will not be a Band-Aid approach. It will take time and effort on all our parts,” Buglas said.

All the candidates agreed North Battleford has been stigmatized unfairly. None of them felt the ranking on the crime severity index reflected the city and want to show the province, the country, North Battleford is a great place to visit and live.

Greg Higgins is battlefordsNOW’s city municipal affairs and health reporter. He can be reached at ghiggins@jpbg.ca or tweet him @realgreghiggins.

by Greg Higgins

Council candidates talk crime reduction ahead of election

What's Trending