Despite social distancing, Battlefords RCMP are taking in a fairly steady volume of calls. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

Out On Patrol

Battlefords RCMP remain active despite mostly empty streets

Mar 26, 2020 | 5:21 PM

Essential services remain hard at work in the Battlefords during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The RCMP detachment has only had to make a few adjustments amidst increased safety measures and less people visible on the streets.

“We’re one of those services that doesn’t really change in a situation like this,” said Sgt. Jason Teniuk. “It’s a critical service that has to be provided and the members are doing their best to keep that up.”

One of the biggest surprises has been the number of calls to the station. The volume over the past week has kept with the usual numbers seen in the area, despite most of the public participating in self-isolation.

“One would think that with less traffic and people around, you’d think those things would really drop off,” Teniuk said. “But we haven’t really seen that.”

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One increase is the number of calls regarding individuals allegedly not adhering to protocols. Teniuk said the detachment takes each situation seriously, but the majority of them have been false alarms.

“We deal with those on a case by case basis so, that’s the only real uptick I’ve seen at this point here,” Teniuk said. “A lot of those haven’t been substantiated, it’s just rumours and people getting information from Facebook and other things like that.”

Some elements of daily routine have changed. RCMP officers are almost exclusively out on patrol in the community, in order to keep too many members from gathering in the station.

“We have them out on the road as much as we can, unless they need to comeback and write something up,” Teniuk said. “But 99 per cent of the time, the members are constantly on the road.”

Other safety measures include making sure officers do not travel together in the same vehicle, avoiding close proximity with fellow members and the public when possible. Losing numbers because illness or quarantine is a concern as the pandemic continues, however, Teniuk said they are prepared for when that arises.

“Should somebody be ill enough that they can’t come to work, or if they get exposed, we do have resources in place that can fill in and we’ll just keep doing that should it happen.”

And in the meantime, he added the detachment appreciates the support they’ve received from residents and will continue to do their jobs as the situation develops.

“We’re in uncharted territory, so it’ll be an interesting next few months, that’s for sure.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports