The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is calling on provincial political parties to priotitize efforts to tackle crime in rural areas.
In a news release issued October 10, SARM Acting President BIll Huber said during the upcoming provincial election, the priority list of every RM may vary. However, one issue is on every RM’s radar: the need for additional supports for tackling crime in rural communities.
According to Statistics Canada’s most recent report on rural crime in 2021, Saskatchewan had the highest crime severity index for rural offences.
Rural Saskatchewan has a unique set of challenges when it comes to rural crime:
* Geographical Spread
* Limited Resources
* Longer Emergency Response Times
* Less Access to Specialized Services
“Rural Saskatchewan continues to grapple with a wide range of issues, from property crimes to traffic enforcement, all while balancing the needs of its diverse communities,” said Huber.
Crime is on the rise across the province, but rural areas face unique challenges due to Saskatchewan’s vast geographical area.
With fewer police detachments covering larger regions, response times can stretch between 30 minutes to an hour. This leaves rural properties vulnerable, becoming prime targets for offenders. Farmers often experience theft of fuel, machinery, and parts, resulting in both financial losses and increased insurance premiums.
Meanwhile, RCMP officers must cover long distances to track down offenders and recover stolen items, in addition to preparing extensive paperwork for court cases.
Despite their efforts, penalties for crimes like theft and vandalism tend to be minimal, often leading to repeat offenses. Current fines and convictions do little to deter reoffending.
“As we anticipate more officers being added to rural areas, SARM continues to push the provincial government for sustained support in increasing police staffing, imposing tougher penalties, and developing new initiatives to enhance collaboration between officers and communities,” said Huber. “We also call for increased efforts to address the root causes of crime, such as issues stemming from mental health and addictions.”
The following are SARM’s key areas of focus for the upcoming provincial election.
* Infrastructure
* Health Care
* Policing & Crime
* Agriculture