NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 24th, 2017 North Battleford Drops in Violent Crime Severity Index The City of North Battleford is pleased to report that after many years of hard work by the RCMP, City Staff, Community Safety Officers, Citizens on Patrol, Neighbourhood Watch and the Community as a whole that North Battleford has had an 8% reduction in the Violent Crime and is no longer Number 1 in the Country in the Violent Crime Severity Index. Saskatchewan had a 9% increase in violent crimes in 2016. Unfortunately, non-violent crime has increased by 15% and North Battleford remains the #1 Community in the Country for the Non-Violent Crime Severity Index and #1 overall. A large number of these crimes are preventable and include: - Stolen vehicles because of keys left in the vehicle Items stolen from an unlocked vehicle Items stolen from an unlocked garage or shed Mayor Ryan Bater says “City Council is very pleased to see a great reduction in violent crime in the Community and thank everyone for their efforts. It is very good news that North Battleford is no longer the # 1 Community in Canada for violent crime. We believe that is due in part to the increased patrols and added emphasis on Community Safety through our Community Safety Strategy.” We also believe that the preventable crimes rate can be driven down if our citizens, City and RCMP continue to work together. We have developed a Public Awareness Campaign: “Eyes That Care” to bring this issue to the forefront and will be sending an information sheet to every household that provides some guidelines to combat these crimes. We need to take away the opportunity for crime. ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ Do not leave your valuables in your vehicles or in your yards. Lock your vehicles Lock your garages Lock your sheds, put up motion sensor lights on your property. Get to know your neighbours, Be vigilant Create a neighbourhood watch Join the Citizens on Patrol. Together we can make a difference! City of North Battleford 1 2 cityofnb.ca NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 24th, 2017 For more information: Robert Oberlander, Communication Coordinator Tel: 306-445-1710 roberlander@cityofnb.ca Jim Puffalt, City Manager Tel: 306-445-1727 jpuffalt@cityofnb.ca City of North Battleford 2 2 cityofnb.ca