Prince Albert’s Police Chief has found himself in much the same position as Saskatoon’s, in attempting to quell concerns over a rash of homicides and violent crime.

Prince Albert has had five homicides in 2019 and two recent shootings. However, Chief John Bergen says the number is not typical pointing out the last time that many homicides were recorded was 16 years ago,in 2003.

P.A. Police Chief Bergen says their officers are working hard to combat crime and arrest those responsible. Prince Albert Police have responded to 27 incidents in 2019 where guns were used. In eight of those incidents, guns were fired. Charges have been laid against 18 people in connection to these incidents.

There have also been 114 reports involving knives with 44 people charged. Since the new Break and Enter task force was announced in Prince Albert, the police service says nearly 40 people have been arrested in relation to property crime while a recent gang suppression initiative resulted in the arrest of 35 people with ties to street gangs.

When Saskatoon Police Chief Troy Cooper addressed community concerns in August, he said there had been no trends found in the latest homicide investigations. More uniformed officers have been present in the community for the last month with plain clothed officers patrolling the streets. Saskatoon Police are investigating 11 homicides so far in 2019.