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With a recommendation from the Regina Board of Police Commissioners, city council will discuss the Safe Public Spaces Act at its meeting on Wednesday.
The act was modified earlier this year and came into force on Aug. 1. It gives police the power to seize weapons without having to lay a charge. The law also designates some drugs, like methamphetamine and fentanyl, and drug paraphernalia, like needles, as weapons.
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Municipalities have to opt into the law for it to apply to their police. Others, like Saskatoon, have already opted in.
In a new report to Regina City Council, the Regina Board of Police Commissioners recommended the city opt in.
“We think for our officers it really will just be another tool that we can use in situations to improve downtown safety,” explained interim Police Chief Lorliee Davies on Tuesday.
She said it doesn’t increase police search powers; instead, it’s meant to be used in instances where weapons are being used in a way that’s not safe. Previously, police would have to lay a charge to be able to seize property.
Davies said there are a number of instances in a year where they hear about a weapon, but the victim isn’t willing to provide a statement to police.
“We get a call about somebody waving around a knife, the person who calls it in doesn’t stick around and talk to police, if we locate that person, we can take the knife, we have that legislation and authority to do that,” she explained.
Even though the legislation adds some drugs and paraphernalia to the list of weapons, Davies said she doesn’t foresee a big change in the way they do things in that regard.
“If somebody is using, for instance, a needle in a way that’s threatening to public safety, then we would likely seize it. If somebody has needles on them because of harm reduction and addictions, that’s not something where we’re going to take those needles away,” she said.
“We rely on our front line to use discretion every day, and I don’t see a lot changing with the introduction of this legislation.”
Davies explained, Regina police aren’t about criminalizing people facing addiction issues unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Regina City Council is expected to consider the commission’s report at its meeting at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
