Saskatoon facing a 'troubling rise' in bear spray incidents: police

Saskatoon police say there have been about 20 separate bear spray incidents in the city this October and that if the current pace continues, there could be more than 280 over the course of 2024.

Police received a report of bear spray being discharged on a city bus Tuesday evening. Shortly after, officers arrested multiple suspects and laid weapons charges against a 16-year-old boy who was wanted on several warrants from the Prince Albert Police Service and was breaching court conditions, according to the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS).

It was the latest instance in a month of seemingly constant bear spray attacks in the city.

Through October, there has been an average of nearly one per day. In one instance, there were five cases over two days.

It's a part of a "troubling rise" in bear spray-related incidents this year, according to SPS Supt. Tonya Gresty, especially in weapons assaults and robbery reports.

"Based on current trends, SPS might expect the total number of incidents involving bear spray as the primary weapon to reach approximately 285 by year's end," Gresty said in an emailed statement.

As a result, Gresty said Saskatoon police have been issuing more tickets under new Saskatchewan legislation that restricts bear spray possession in public, urban areas — allowing officers to issue tickets even without an offence.

WATCH | Former gang member explains why bear spray is common on Sask. streets: 

Former gang member explains why bear spray is common on Sask. streets

7 months ago

Duration 4:37

Former gang member Chris Witchekan speak bluntly with CBC's Leisha Grebinski, host of Good Question, Saskatchewan, about the rise in bear spray attacks. The potent spray used to deter bears in the wild is being used as a weapon among gang members and teens, causing disruptions at public pools, schools and major events like summer exhibitions. In 2023, there were 187 criminal charges related to bear spray, including assault with a weapon.

Gresty said a crime analyst is also working to better understand who is perpetrating the offences, why, and where it's happening most often.

Data shows the majority of bear spray incidents are happening in core neighbourhoods — one in particular accounted for 21 per cent of all reported attacks, according to Gresty.

Gresty did not specify which neighbourhood.