2019 was a challenging year for the Prince Albert Police Service and for the community. Police Chief Jon Bergen says there was an increase in violent crime and property-related offences. There were 2 homicides in 2018 as compared to 6 last year, and the statistics are the same for attempted murders. Assaults, robberies and sexual violations also rose, according to the crime statistics released by the P.A. Police Service.

Bergen says the past year was a challenging one for police and for the community, and it has led to some residents questioning their safety. The police service will continue targeting those responsible for these crimes and will continue to work with the community in a proactive way. The Police Service participates on numerous boards and committees aimed at finding solutions to the root causes of crime,

Officers attended to more than 37-thousand calls, which Bergen says is more commonly seen in communities of around 100-thousand people. Prince Albert’s population is around 36-thousand. Bergen stresses the higher numbers of firearms, drugs and violence aren’t specific to Prince Albert. It’s something that is being seen in other communities as well.