Crime in the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood is back to the levels it was at prior to a spike of violent crime early this summer when there were 3 homicides in just over a week. The Saskatoon Police Service increased its presence for a month and is now evaluating its effectiveness. Chief Troy Cooper says the crime levels remain stable. Now they are adding resources in a more focused way – on specific locations, houses or individuals more likely to come into conflict with the law. The added presence helped residents to feel safer, but Cooper doesn’t believe this is the most effective way to reduce violent crime in a residential neighbourhood. Instead, officers are more focused on the root causes, like prolific offenders and gang members, and working on crime prevention initiatives. Cooper says the Police Service will respond again as required if the violent crime volume increases again. Mayor Charlie Clark has said in the past that meth and other drug-related issues are core issues the city is working on through a strategy of enforcement, supply reduction, prevention and treatment, and intervention.