Saskatoon could take legal action to recover cost of white powder scare responses

A city lawyer could take legal action to recover costs if anyone is convicted of orchestrating a series of white powder scares in Saskatoon, which have cost the city's fire department more than $75,000 this month. 

Emergency crews have responded to five incidents involving reports of a white powder since March 16. In each case, the powder was found to be non-hazardous.

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Saskatoon police are investigating a possible connection between the five incidents in March and an incident on Nov. 29 of last year, during which five suspicious packages were delivered to businesses across the city.

Alexa Emerson has been charged with mischief and uttering threats in connection with the incident in November. She is currently on bail in Alberta and scheduled to stand trial in May.

The city said on Wednesday that Police Commissioner Darren Hill had asked the city's solicitor to look at seeking restitution in any white powder case that results in a conviction.

Packages cannot be ignored

Saskatoon Fire Department Assistant Chief Wayne Rodger said despite the false alarms, each incident had to be treated as a potential threat to public safety.

"These incidents cause a lot of disruption for the businesses they target, for the people who work in these buildings and for our community," said Rodger. 

"If someone is arrested and a judge decides any of these incidents break the law, city council does not want taxpayers to pay for the emergency response."