Safety

These letters to municipal + provincial politicians are penned + signed by Downtown Saskatoon, but (with permission) they express our community’s words. Your concerns shared with us do little good resting with us, alone. Thanks to those brave to allow us to share their stories, names, and ultimately, their concerns of negative street activity in Downtown Saskatoon.

• Letter to City Council from DTNYXE + Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce re: Shelter Approval Process | July 26, 2022
• Letter to City Council from DTNYXE re: Extension of Lease to STC Wellness Centre at 145 1st Ave N | June 8, 2022
• In the words of a Saskatoon Resident | September 2, 2020
• In the words of a Riversdale Business Owner | August 11, 2020
• In the words of a Downtown Commercial Property Owner | August 6, 2020
• In the words of a Downtown Business Owner + Downtown Residential Property Owner | July 22, 2020

We’re here to listen, confidentially – contact us.

The Combined Business Group is a committee of organizations who’s members are Saskatoon businesses. Downtown Saskatoon is one such member. Together, we have penned a call to municipal election candidates regarding policy priorities for Saskatoon businesses. Pillar 1 refers to Public Safety/Crime/Policing.

Municipal Election Policy Priorities – CBG 2020

• September 16, 2020 | CBC News: Saskatoon Tribal Council to be lead agency for downtown safety pilot project
• September 3, 2020 | John Gormley – On Demand – News Talk 650 CKOM Saskatoon

March 11, 2020 – Recent high-profile events have shone a spotlight on the question of safety in Downtown Saskatoon, the heart of our city. Downtown Saskatoon is proud of the vibrant, dynamic and diverse district that has evolved over the past number of years. We want to be welcoming to all people and accept that a growing city has challenges. For many years, we have been working with the City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Police Service, the Province of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon Tribal Council, other stakeholders, and The Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. to build a safe Downtown for all. We understand issues of mental health, addictions, and homelessness are complex, and we are grateful to everyone in our community who works with those who need support. These complex challenges will not be solved overnight. But we can do something right now – today – to ensure that ALL PEOPLE feel safer in Downtown Saskatoon. Now is the time for action.

• We urge the Province of Saskatchewan to work with its partners to address immediate safety and security needs at The Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. – for the safety and wellbeing of those who use these services, and for its neighbours.
• We urge the Province of Saskatchewan, and any applicable stakeholders, to conduct an immediate assessment of programming, funding, and location of The Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. to determine if the current way of providing services is generating intended outcomes. Part of the assessment should analyze whether the facility can provide the varied nature of services it presently does.
• We urge the Saskatoon Police Service to immediately deploy more officers into Downtown Saskatoon.
• We urge the Saskatoon Police Service to develop a comprehensive Downtown policing strategy complete with tactics and actions to deal with the realities of policing a Downtown district. We believe the plan must place community safety as the top priority.
• We urge the Saskatoon Police Service to model a Downtown policing strategy after the Centreline Downtown Safety initiative started by the Winnipeg Police Service in 2016, which includes some of the following goals and measures:
  • Improve public perception by focusing resources on public nuisance behaviour that is detrimental to the enjoyment of public spaces.
  • Police resources assigned ownership of a geographical area within Downtown.
  • Support problem-oriented policing by tackling the cause of the problem, yet ensuring that enforcement is top of mind when dealing with district issues that presently exist.
  • Incorporate performance metrics that include perceived safety in the Downtown area.
  • Encourage foot patrol officers to spend time on Transit buses as part of their daily duties to enhance public and transit personnel safety on Transit buses, and to increase both visibility and enforcement in the Transit Mall.
  • Work with the Downtown Saskatoon Business Improvement District and private property owners to develop a surveillance camera registration program to deter problems and assist investigations.
• We urge Downtown businesses and all citizens to report incidents that require Police attention. The Police need to know where incidents are occurring so they can intervene, act, and analyze trends.

We will also do our part by continuing to support the work of the Community Support Program.  Through street outreach, they connect with vulnerable community members affected by mental health, addictions, and homelessness. We have much work to do to address the challenges, and that work will continue. But right now – today – we can do something to improve the quality of life of every person who lives, works, or plays in our Downtown. We urge that action be taken now.

ABOUT DOWNTOWN SASKATOON

Downtown Saskatoon strives to promote, shape and enhance Saskatoon’s Downtown as a destination for residential, retail, cultural and business development. It creates, promotes and programs Downtown experiences that attract Saskatoon residents and visitors from across the province, country and world. Downtown Saskatoon’s work is overseen by a board of district representatives and supported through a levy on commercial properties in the area.  

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For more information, contact: Brent Penner Executive Director Downtown Saskatoon Business Improvement District 306-664-0709 [email protected]

Downtown Saskatoon – December 15, 2021 | Last week, the City of Saskatoon leased space to the Saskatoon Tribal Council in Downtown Saskatoon to allow for a temporary wellness centre (shelter) for people in Saskatoon. The emergency wellness centre on 1st Avenue will assuredly be temporary for this winter season.

At the December 9, 2021 City Council meeting, Executive Director Brent Penner made an oral presentation on behalf of the Downtown Saskatoon Business Improvement District Board of Directors and membership. Since the provision of Social Services is a provincial responsibility, Penner also wrote to Premier Moe, Province of Saskatchewan. View the letter + comments at the link below.

Key Values of Downtown Saskatoon’s Position Statement:

1. The lack of action by the Provincial Government on the issue of shelters, and the general delivery of social services has led to many challenges. This is of concern to many community members – both to those who need support, and people who are trying to live, work, and visit the areas nearby.
2. Community consultation and planning is key for all things, including these types of facilities.
3. On the incredibly positive side, having the Saskatoon Tribal Council involved is tremendous. We look forward to positive program results as well as their openness for dialogue and a spirit to do things better and differently.
4. Downtown Saskatoon would like a commitment from both the City of Saskatoon and the Saskatoon Tribal Council that this location is indeed temporary and to work now to plan for better solutions for next year and beyond.
5. The Province of Saskatchewan must take immediate steps to create a long-term plan. Downtown Saskatoon and others will be there to help as we can, but the Province has to lead.
6. The plan must ensure services are coordinated and outcomes tracked to ensure that resources being deployed are having the right impact in providing services.
7. Services should be available through a distributed model and must be right-sized, so as not to bring more harm than good to an area. All neighbourhoods are fragile, and Downtown is no different.
8. This is not just about business owners. This is about people and the health of the whole city with a vibrant Downtown heart. This is about a plan to ensure services work for everyone. We must do better.

Downtown Saskatoon Letter + Comments

Downtown Saskatoon | October 2021 – The Downtown Saskatoon Business Improvement District has been involved in a variety of safety-related initiatives since its formation in 1986. From committee work advocating for improvements, meeting with police and other stakeholders, to being a key proponent and now the employer of the Community Support Program when it formed in 2012, safety for all has and always will be a guiding principle for our organization.

Most recently, we have partnered with several private property owners on the installation of security cameras for their properties. Security cameras are an effective crime prevention tool that also assist in solving crime. Following an incident, police will often canvass the area to see if video surveillance exists. The equipment was installed on properties on high pedestrian corridors and is not monitored. The Saskatoon Police Service was consulted as we embarked on this initiative. Cameras are simply another tool designed to ensure Downtown remains safe for everyone.

Of note, Downtown Saskatoon is pleased with the early results of the Alternative Response Officer Program that was launched by the Saskatoon Police Service in spring, 2021. We have received positive comments from stakeholders since this six-person patrol team started patrolling in our district.

As a reminder, it is of utmost importance to take the time + effort to report all incidents to Police. This puts dots on a map, which is how they staff accordingly. For emergencies in progress call 9-1-1. For an officer to attend for an incident after the fact call 306-975-8300.