Latest news with #communitysafety
CTV News
15 hours ago
- CTV News
Sask. First Nation threatens action against suspected drug dealers
Leaders in Beardy's and Okemasis Cree Nation are warning residents suspected of dealing drugs in the community that they may soon be evicted, or worse. In a July 14 'second notice' letter obtained by CTV News, the band council warns residents of several 'homes of interest' that it's received ongoing reports of illegal activity including drug sales and trafficking, gang-related activity and drug use. 'These actions are a direct threat to the safety, health and well-being of our nation,' the letter states. 'We are giving this second warning that if these activities continue, the names of the homes of interest will be made public, and law enforcement and housing authorities will take further action.' To avoid escalation, the band is ordering the heads of those homes of interest to meet with council, its housing department and the Sitoskatowin circle of care by Aug. 1 to create a plan and prepare for a housing inspection. The parties would meet again on Aug. 15 for a compliance review, the letter says. 'Our nation believes in supporting each other through change. We ask that families step up and take that initiative to help your family members in addiction and that are involved in illegal activity and let it be known that this will no longer be ignored or allowed to continue.' Beardy's and Okemasis, located about 100 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon, has taken steps to banish drug dealers from the community before. The practice is not uncommon in Saskatchewan. In January 2020, Cowessess First Nation banned two people from the community for a year for alleged 'crystal meth cases.' Red Pheasant Cree Nation declared a state of emergency in October 2023 after a spate of seven overdoses in a single day. At the time, Chief Lux Benson threated that anyone suspected of dealing drugs in the community would be evicted from their homes . Some First Nations have tried other means of fighting crime on their lands. In Onion Lake Cree Nation, situated along the Alberta border, some residents were confused and alarmed when a private security company the band hired to fight drug dealing and gang activity on reserve last summer began pulling over band members in full tactical gear and face masks. A number of Onion Lake residents who spoke to CTV News had no idea the band had authorized a security company to conduct law enforcement activities on reserve. The Saskatchewan RCMP issued a warning at the time that it believed someone was impersonating police in the area. CTV News spoke with the security company hired by Onion Lake, which alleged the RCMP were fully aware of their presence. The RCMP denied this, saying it was actively 'working to identify' the group. In Beardy's, they're taking a decidedly softer approach — for now. 'We want those who may be struggling to know that there is hope. You are not alone. We strongly encourage you to seek support,' the letter says. 'Take this notice seriously. Make the choice to stop, reach out for help, and be part of a safer, stronger nation. Help is available. Healing is possible.'
BBC News
20 hours ago
- BBC News
New team to tackle Gloucester city centre antisocial behaviour
A new initiative, thought to be one of the first in the country, has been launched to tackle antisocial behaviour "from start to finish".Gloucester City Council has allocated £200,000 for the two-year scheme, which will involve finding long-term accommodation for homeless people by employing two new engagement council hopes to "take ownership" of antisocial behaviour in the city and "see [individuals] through the whole journey", said Josh Griffiths, one of the new Rebecca Trimnell said the initiative had been created over concerns from residents regarding antisocial behaviour, such as swearing and shouting, but also the welfare of vulnerable people. "We've got lots of different agencies that do a fantastic job with these individuals," Mr Griffiths said. "When you go out and talk to these people, there is a story, there is a person behind that and you can see they don't want to be in that situation."We want to give [them] that constant individual to see them through the whole journey."The initiative is in line with one of the objectives in Gloucester City Council's new corporate plan to ensure people feel safe in the city centre and antisocial behaviour and crime are dealt with appropriately. Emily Bolland, the council's community safety lead, said the new engagement officers will be a "consistent resource"."We know the issues we're seeing are rooted in drinking, drugs and trauma people have had in the past," she said."And we know that those issues can't be dealt with if we just engage with people sporadically, and they can't only be dealt with through enforcement."The new officers are here to engage on a very person-centred basis to try and change those behaviours."
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Threats of violence against South Asian Edmontonians prompts police town hall
The Edmonton Police Service says it will host a town hall for members of the city's South Asian community concerned about threats of violence. According to a news release, EPS is investigating 'a number of small threats of violence' against the community. The town hall will be held on July 28 at 7 p.m. at the Southwood Community League. Capacity is limited and anyone who wishes to attend is encouraged to register online. Members of the community who have experienced violence are asked to come forward to police. EPS says more information about the investigation will be released on Thursday.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
‘Project Ghost' a policing victory against organized crime: Brampton Mayor Brown
Brampton, Ont., Mayor Patrick Brown on Tuesday commented on 'Project Ghost", a year-long investigation into an organized crime group. Brown said "it was just not a policing victory, it's a community safety milestone for Brampton, Peel Region and the broader GTA. This investigation involved more than a dozen incidents, home invasions, stabbings, shootings and coordinated luxury vehicle thefts. These were not random acts, this was organized crime.'
CBC
2 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Provincial policing plan raises more questions than answers for CBRM officials
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality is looking for answers after the Nova Scotia government announced last month that it plans to turn the Mounties into a provincial police force. Under a recent policing review report, the province would expand the RCMP's role, make changes to billing and funding for municipal police services, establish a single police records database and create community safety boards to improve civilian oversight. Mayor Cecil Clarke said CBRM will be allowed to continue to operate its regional police force, but it's not clear what that means. In a letter to municipalities with their own forces, Justice Minister Becky Druhan has promised a meeting later this summer. "It says no immediate decision-making, but we have to be thoughtful about now that the report is out, it has very, very specific elements to three key areas, either 100 per cent on your own or, you know, the RCMP model that's in place now, or cost-shared, and what does cost-shared mean?" Clarke said. The province introduced new policing standards last fall and Druhan has indicated that more are on the way. Clarke said Cape Breton Regional Police already meet most of the province's requirements and adding new ones will come at a cost. "It comes down to dollars at the end of the day," he said. "Of course you can establish a new standard, but you have to have the resources to support it." The review was announced about six months after the Mass Casualty Commission released its final report on the shooting rampage in central and northern Nova Scotia that left 22 people dead in April 2020. The RCMP says it's ready to take on an expanded role. Clarke said CBRM's regional police offer a full slate of services and work well with the RCMP in the county where jurisdictions overlap. RCMP also look after policing in Eskasoni First Nation, and Membertou First Nation is policed by CBRM under contract. CBRM gets provincial funding for 19 of its 200 officers. The mayor said he is not sure whether that will continue under the new provincial plan. Clarke said the system seems to be working well overall in Cape Breton and he is eager to find out how the province envisions the new plan making improvements. "We're taking our time to try and literally work our way through that, to put it in context to the Mass Casualty Commission's work and how we as a Cape Breton Regional Municipality and our police service are able to respond effectively." No appetite for return to RCMP He said there's no appetite for returning to the days before amalgamation, when the Mounties policed the entire area. "The question really would be, what does the province think of our service and if they wanted to go in a different direction, what will that mean?" Clarke said. "And if we do go in a different direction that is separate from, for instance, a Cape Breton Regional Police Service model as it is now, it's going to be even more expensive, clearly by many, many millions, than improving what we already have in place. "If there is a desire to change that model, it'll be indicated by the province to us, not by us to the province." More funding needed The province's report suggests the use of community safety officers and special constables. Clarke said CBRM already has officers in schools and bylaw enforcement officers, and any changes or additions to staffing would require more resources. "The public out on the street are asking for more policing capacity and safety and security measures in their community," he said. "We want to meet those up with a realistic model that the province can help us fund." The report also includes the creation of community safety boards, but much of that work is already being done locally, said Coun. Glenn Paruch, who chairs the CBRM's police commission. Paruch, who also sits on a provincial board reviewing police governance, said no one is sure how a community safety board would work or whether the local commission will continue to exist. "That is one question that came up quite often, because we were wondering ourselves, what is our job at the provincial board level if changes like this transpire?" he said. "So as of right now, there's more questions than answers."
