The Lloydminster RCMP says 2017 has been a year of successes and challenges and they are gearing up for a productive 2018.
Inspector Neil Pearson oversees the Lloydminster detachment and says increased presence in the community has been a big success for police last year.
“In our traffic unit, we’ve had an increase in traffic presence which has been really beneficial. There’s been an increase in visibility and enforcement, so that’s been really good. With all the rural crime and property stuff that goes on in and around the area, we’ve developed really good contact and close ties with the RCMP in Saskatchewan as well as in K Division.”
Pearson adds that the RCMP has great support from the City, which has helped them.
Rural crime continues to be an issue in the community. In 2017 Maclean’s listed Lloydminster as the 14th most dangerous city in Canada. It also ranked the Border City at number 12 for firearms offences, number nine for break and enters and number 5 for impaired driving.
Pearson says the RCMP will be taking initiative to tackle this in 2018.
“We maintain and keep our crime reduction units and initiatives going and we’re still working with our habitual offenders to curb them. We’re also working closely with our partners in social agencies to help us deal with these people and when we do catch them we give them alternatives if they need help in mental health or addictions or jobs and that sort of thing.”
In addition to dealing with rural crime issues Pearson says they are getting ready for a new challenge: The legalization of marijuana.
“I really think it’s happening, it’s going to happen whether we like it or not and we’ll work with people. We’re also going to get some more education out, work with our partners to educate people on drug use and what it’s effects are.”
Pearson says all in all he believes the RCMP has had a positive impact in 2017 by being a strong support system for the community.