Saskatoon Police Chief Clive Weighill says meth main challenge of 2016
CBC News | Posted: December 28, 2016 10:30 AM | Last Updated: December 28, 2016
City not as safe as in past, chief admits
Clive Weighill doesn't hesitate when asked to name the single greatest challenge to policing in 2016.
"Crystal methamphetamine. It's driving our crime rates right across Western Canada."
Saskatoon's chief of police says this is the year when crystal meth travelled across the bridges to all four corners of the city.
"Things have changed, we're seeing more crime again," he said.
"Breaking into cars. Breaking into houses, garages. Sheds, copper wire thefts. Stealing vehicles to do armed robberies."
By early fall, the number of possession of stolen property charges had increased to 513 cases this year from 361 in 2015.
Weighill says Saskatoon is still a safe city, despite the increase in criminal activity due to meth.
"But I have to speak very frankly that I'm concerned that the city has changed, the complexion of what we're seeing from crystal meth it's changing people. It makes people become violent."
Weighill still believes the long-term solution is to address the root causes of addiction, and related issues such as poverty, education and housing.