Lloydminster Council heard an update regarding the Lloydminster RCMP’s general investigation section (GIS).
The presentation, given by Staff Sgt. Jerry Nutbrown, covered a variety of policing-related topics.
The GIS provides a focused team which maintains an overarching goal to investigate specific trends and provide proactive community policing in an effort to reduce crime.
Nutbrown talked about the work his team has been doing.
“We’re partnering with other agencies to provide a little bit more of a comprehensive approach to law enforcement when it comes to some of our high-risk or repeat offenders.“ he said.
“This generally has an impact that it will reduce crime within the city when we approach it in a more comprehensive, focused manner.”
Nutbrown says his team was involved in a firearm investigation.
“One of the things we got involved in recently was one of the first in the country, the manufacturing of firearms. That specialized investigation involved a lot of collaboration,” he said.
He says there’s been some success in the community.
“Even recently we’ve had some good success. One fellow we had down there we ended up charging got a 60-day incarceration sentence because of the ongoing and the repeat nature of the offences he’s committing,” said Nutbrown.
“This then removes him from the community and we don’t have to worry about that individual committing crimes out serving their sentence.”
Nutbrown says it would be better if they didn’t commit the crimes.
“That’s part of what we’re going to be approaching coming up in the future a little bit more of the, being able to direct them into the areas of support that they may need, that is causing or is part of the cause of their criminal activity,” explained Nutbrown.
“We’re trying to look at it in a little bit more of a comprehensive way, rather than a straight charge and go through the court system.”
Nutbrown says he has a good group that’s keen and eager. He says there’s been an increase in foot and vehicle patrols.
During the question-and-answer period, Coun. Lorelee Marin asked what people could do to deter crime in everyday life.
Nutbrown spoke about the bike registry and being diligent in locking up items before talking a little bit more in detail about the benefits of surveillance systems.
“I can’t overstate the value of that, video systems for locals,” he said.
He says the hope is to get more information on areas of more significant crime.
“We’re hoping to get a little bit more information on the areas where we’ve got a little bit more significant crime happening from the people that live in the areas,” said Nutbrown.
“Part of what I’ve tasked my group with is when they’re on the foot patrols, go up, knock on a door if they see someone out on a walk stop and talk to them, ask them how things are going what they see.”
Coun. Michael Diachuk pointed to the importance of spreading the message of what the RCMP are doing in the community.
“I think rightly or wrongly there’s a perception that nothing’s being done, comments are not flattering to anybody at the city or the RCMP,” explained Diachuk.
“I know, and whether I’ve heard the information or not, things are being done. Publicly there’s some merit in sharing some advances and pieces that are being done.”
The report was accepted as information.
Read more: Manitoulin opens new Lloydminster terminal
Locally owned and community driven, the Lloydminster Meridian Source is the online news source in the Border City. Whether it’s breaking news, features or sports, if you have questions about what’s going on around town, then Source it with us.
Since online platforms no longer support the sharing of news, we encourage you to bookmark meridiansource.ca. So, whether you’re having a coffee or enjoying a meal, check in any time for the most up-to-date news in Lloydminster.