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Following two recent deaths, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation is again speaking publicly about the level of violence facing Pelican Narrows, with Chief Peter Beatty saying the community needs more long-term support and the RCMP saying it is deploying specialized resources and examining new policing models for the area.
The body of 16-year-old Jay’siiah Webb-Long, who had been reported missing from Ontario, was recently found by RCMP. Jaden Custer, 26, was killed May 21.
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“The recent deaths of Jay’siiah and Jaden have deepened the grief and fear that many in Pelican Narrows are already carrying.
“These losses come amid ongoing and serious violence in the community, including multiple drive-by shootings in recent weeks, Molotov cocktails thrown at a home, and numerous firearms and bear spray incidents. One shooting injured two people. Another shattered the windows of a home,” PBCN said in a statement posted on social media.
Beatty said Pelican Narrows is facing an unusually high level of violence and drug activity for a community its size.
“We have a community of just over 2,000 and we are dealing with issues much larger centres deal with,” he said. “People are living with fear and anxiety, and it is affecting everyday life.”
In 2023, community leaders declared a state of emergency because of violence in the community of more than 2,000 people, about 400 kilometres northeast of Prince Albert.
The crime in the community is being influenced by the bigger world, said Beatty. Criminals connected to the east and west coasts of Canada and the United States have been noted in Pelican Narrows.
He also believes that Webb-Long made his way there under the influence of organized crime.
Since then, leaders say they have set up checkpoints and other security measures, developed a community safety plan, hired a drug-detection dog, adopted an intervention model and built a shelter for people experiencing domestic violence.
Leadership says it has done what it can with limited resources, but wants the provincial and federal governments to step up as well.
They have had multiple press conferences and things improve for several weeks after resources are brought in. Once those are pulled back, Beatty, backed by Prince Albert Grand Council Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte, said the violence picks up where it was before.
In the two years since the emergency was declared, there have been fewer RCMP officers in Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay because vacancies have remained unfilled. The band wants those positions filled, along with a greater focus on drug investigations and a school resource officer.
Beatty said Pelican Narrows should have 15 officers but only eight of them are currently staffed. The RCMP did not provide numbers but has been facing recruitment challenges across Saskatchewan for years.
In a statement, Saskatchewan RCMP said it recognizes the community’s concerns and has deployed specialized units to focus on illicit drugs, illegal weapons and dangerous offenders.
“We recognize the concerns raised by Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and the impact violent crime has had on the community,” police said.
The RCMP also said Major Crimes investigators were recently in Pelican Narrows in connection with both the missing person investigation and the most recent homicide.
If those police positions cannot be filled, leadership says it wants that funding redirected to youth programming, bylaw enforcement and security services.
The RCMP said law enforcement is only part of the solution and that addiction, gang involvement and mental health issues require a multi-agency response.
“Police enforcement alone will not resolve the complex issues contributing to crime in the community,” the statement said.
Police also said they are consulting with Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and Prince Albert Grand Council on policing models that would strengthen police presence in the area, although no changes have been announced publicly.
The community also lacks reliable cell service needed to operate an alert system. Leadership wants Pelican Narrows made a priority for cellular infrastructure investment and says a partnership with Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Justice is needed to support planned surveillance infrastructure.
PBCN leadership met Thursday with the RCMP North District superintendent to press for action as both the First Nation and police say broader partnership will be needed to improve safety in Pelican Narrows.
— with files from 980 CJME
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