RCMP head talks terrorism, rural crime with Sask. cabinet

There was a new face around the table at Wednesday’s cabinet meeting at the Saskatchewan legislature.

RCMP assistant commissioner Curtis Zablocki joined the premier and ministers to update rural crime and staff numbers along with the recent terrorist attacks in London.

It was confirmed that in recent years, there has been at least one active investigation in Saskatchewan into individuals that had become radicalized.

But the terror threat in Saskatchewan remains low.

“But we need to be vigilant, when I say we, everyone in government obviously and the police agencies going forward, but citizens can be as well,” Premier Brad Wall said. “If there is something that seems a little bit alarming or concerning then the best thing to do is to call the police.”

Wall thanked the islamic community for their vigilance and being on the look out for anything that needs to be reported.

Rural crime was also on the agenda and was a hotly debated issue following the shooting death of Colten Boushie.

“We have enhanced our relief teams. In the past, we have had five resources attached to that relief team, we’re doubling that and adding an additional five resources,” Zablocki confirmed to reporters outside the premier’s office.

Numerous detachments had been without a full complement of officers as the Mounties dealt with high turnover, sick leave and other absences.

But Zablocki pointed out rural crime remained a concern.

“When we look at statistics over the past six years that indicate rural crime, particularly in the central parts of the province, has increased by 18 per cent,” Zablocki said.

In context, rural crime overall in the past decade has remained relatively static.

With the increase of fentanyl and other drugs in use, Zablocki added that addiction often leads to an increase in property crime.

Rural crime wasn’t the only issue on the agenda as recent terror attacks in the U.K. was on the minds of all those at the meeting.

Zablocki confirmed that Saskatchewan remained at a low-threat to attack.

But he does want people to remain vigilant regardless of where they live and how safe they feel.