Meth Epidemic And Fear Part Of Police Budget Deliberations

It was a drug whose name the MJPS seemingly would not admit was in the community just three years ago but its name now has been invoked when it comes to justifying hiring a new officer and increasing the Moose Jaw Police Services (MJPS) 2020 Operating Budget.

The drug is Crystal Methamphetamine or Meth and it was on Council’s mind during budget deliberations which saw the MJPS not only receive funding for a new officer but in the end a 3.26 percent increase or $319,916 added to MJPS’s Operating Budget from what it received in 2019. In 2019 MJPS had an approved Operating Budget of $9,809,647 in 2020 MJPS is requesting $10,129,563 from the City.

The MJPS in 2020 expects to see revenues increase by 5.39 perecent or $70,500 from last year to $1,377,599. When the anticipated revenues of $1,377,599 are deducted from estimated expenditures of $11,507,162 the resulting net 2020 MJPS Operating Budget request to the City is $10,129,563. Revenues for MJPS can be things such as fines and fees for service such as criminal record checks and permits.

In justifying the need to hire an additional officer MJPS Chief Rick Bourassa said the new position would allow MJPS more flexibility in assignments as well as help eliminate some of the growing overtime the force was putting in.

"A new police officer that allows us to move an officer to the area of greatest need,” Chief Bourassa said, adding an additional officer would help to “decrease the amount of overtime and (add) an increase in efficiency.”

Some of the areas the new officer would assist in is the area of narcorics investigation, he said. At present the MJPS conducts major drug investigations only when there is budget and the timelines allow for it.

The new officer would be moved around to “support criminal investigations in relation to meth, cocaine and weapons circumstances,” Chief Bourassa said.

The increasing petty crime as well as violence surrounding narcotics including meth recenty gave Moose Jaw the notoriously dubious honour of being named the 32nd most dangerous city in Canada and moving upwards based upon overall crime by MacLean’s Magazine. MacLean’s based their findings on Statistics Canada’s Crime Severity Index (CSI) which are weighted indexes of all crimes committed and then assigned a score based upon their severity. Additionally Moose Jaw was shown to have increasing overall crime based upon the five year CSIs ansd ranked 41st whereas Regina and area was ranked 45th.

To check out the MacLean’s rankings click here.

Asked by Councillor Brian Swanson about the number of incidents and charges laid regarding meth Chief Bourassa said “it has seen a significant increase…I have no numbers on hand.”

Regarding the expected problem in last year’s MJPS budget submission regarding the proliferation of cannabis and expected increase in impaired driving and other offences Chief Bourassa said it never materialized.

“We have had no issues with that (cannabis legalization). It has gone ahead very, very smoothly. We have had no problems with that at all,” he said.

During later discussions on the MJPS Operating Budget discussion turned to the number of officers the Province pays for in Moose Jaw in relation to Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

“We are still get a disproportionate number of officers (funded by the Province)…it’s an observation on the Ministry of Justice about the severity of crime in those communities,” Councillor Swanson said.

“It is not sustainable in a community that does not get the population growth,” he said about the City having to pay for an increasing number of police officers without the Province contributing more.

Presently the MJPS has an authorized strength of 57 police officers, 19 full-time support staff, 5 full-time Corps of Commissionaire positions, and 10 Victims Services volunteers.

Mayor Fraser Tolmie said the City is continually attempting to have the Province fund more MJPS officers.

“This is something we are continually advocating for our city that we are getting our fair share,” Mayor Tolmie said, adding “now we have to say to the Province it’s your turn and you have to help us out.”

He spoke about the challenges Meth is creating in Moose Jaw and how being on the corridor between Edmonton and Winnipeg has led to the drug’s explosion in the city.

“We are in a corridor that goes from Edmonton to Winnipeg. We are a stop-off point. It is a challenge and stress for existing police officers,” Mayor Tolmie said.

In documents previously obtained from MJPS through a Freedom of Information request by MJ Independent the majority of people who faced charges for Meth over the 10 year period were Moose Jaw residents.

Additionally statistics relaesed by Saskatchewan Health in February 2018 to MJ Independent show the use of Meth in Moose Jaw and those seeking treatment for addiction to it as rising. At that time the largest growing number of people seeking help for Meth addicition in Moose Jaw according to Saskatchewan Health in February 2018 were children under the age of 18. At that time children accounted for 40 percent of addiction intakes related to Meth addiction.

Councillor Crystal Froese said many people were now afraid to walk through Cresecent Park after dark due to the increase of narcotics related crime in the park.

“Dealing with Meth is a whole different practice,” Councillor Froese said, adding due to the unpredictability and violent tendencies of those on Meth if they are taken to the hospital the police “have to be with them the whole time in an emergency room.”

FOR A LOOK AT THE EFFECTS OF METH ON CRIME IN MOOSE JAW - Click Here

Councillor Heather Eby who ran in the bi-election for more to be done about drug related crimes said she no longer felt safe doing some of the activities she previously took for granted due to the proliferation of Meth.

“I use to walk across the Fourth Avenue Bridge after a hockey game. I don’t anymore I don’t feel safe,” Councillor Eby said.

In a 5 - 2 vote, with Councillors McMann and Swanson opposed, the MJPS Operational Budget was approved. The MJPS 2020 Capital budget was additionally approved in a 6 -1 vote with Councillor Swanson opposed.