The crime rate in Saskatoon is atrocious. All of you know that. Couple this with an incompetent, sometimes corrupt police force and bad things are bound to happen.
While stuck in the first instance of winter traffic of the year, John Gormley was telling the story of 81 year-old Jean Belcher. Before I get into it I want to preface my comments by saying this story made me sick to my stomach for even being in the same city that it took place in, let alone having lived here for many years.
Jean is an active senior citizen. She enjoys walking around her community, shopping with friends and all the other things the elderly enjoy doing. She likes Saskatoon. However, in the last thirty days she has been mugged three times.
Three times. One month!
I remember vaguely hearing about this while I was in Calgary and thought - giving the area of these crimes, near City Hospital - that it was some of the poor inner-city youth. I couldn't have been more wrong, which makes this story all that much worse.
A few weeks ago, Jean was mugged near the City Hospital and her purse was stolen by 45 year-old cocaine and crystal meth addict Betty Anne Gilles -- while her 21 year-old daughter stood by and watched. Nice example. She was chased and caught by a witness on a bicycle who then held her until the police could arrive. Gilles has since been sentenced to two years in prison for her crime.
Merely weeks later she was shopping with a friend and she had noticed a younger woman walking behind her as she was leaving the store. Being the fine citizen she is, she decided to hold the door open for her fellow customer. The young woman noticed that Jean's purse was accessible and decided to swipe it on her way out. So much for helping out thy fellow citizens.
And if all of the above was not enough she was again taken to the cleaners while shopping with a friend. This time she noticed she was being robbed and screamed at the top of her lungs. Three off-duty firemen happened to be in the store at the same time and noticed the would-be 32 year-old male mugger and took chase. According to Jean, these fine samaritans followed the man for numerous blocks before catching up and holding him for police.
Jean's story presents a number of problems. The most important of which is: this poor woman who once lovingly smiled at strangers during her walks, now watches over her shoulder in fear. She no longer carries a purse with her. These events have dramatically changed her life. All of this at a time when she should (well, really, everyone should) feel safe while in public. I was raised to respect my elders. I have a tremendous amount of respect for senior citizens and feel that we should do whatever we can to make them comfortable.
Unfortunately the good points of the story -- the fact that in two of the three situations witnesses entered good samaritan mode and saved the day -- will forever be overshadowed by the bad. The actions of these three criminals has added to Saskatoon's already tarnished image. And in the worst possible way. Victimizing the elderly.
Tags: news, saskatoon
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There's a serious problem with crime in SK cities, and whatever is being done to stop it isn't working. I say we need to go back to the drawing board and try implementing a new plan. And we should have started yesterday.
That story makes me sad. I, too, was raised to respect the elderly. I volunteered at a home from ages 12-17. My first official job was as an Activity Coordinator at a home. I can't believe that people would take advantage of the elderly like that.
I guess I feel lucky. I haven't been affected by any 'real' crime. Once, about 15 years ago, a car bra was stolen off my car. And a year or two ago, a guy was kind of threatening to me in a coffee shop in City Park. But that situation was defused and nothing bad happened of it. I guess maybe I'm just a lucky one? Or maybe it's just that I'm insulated by living quite a bit over on the east side that I don't see all the problems in S'toon. I'll honestly say that I wouldn't feel nearly as comfortable living on the west side and that I am glad I have the money to prevent us from having to do that.
Todd, I am on the complete opposite end of the crime spectrum as it relates to Saskatchewan.
I've been the victim of mugging (Yorkton), car break-in (Saskatoon, Regina), home break-in (Regina) and theft (Saskatoon). On top of which, I'm sure there are an uncountable of little things, and all the crap my family and friends have been in.
I've never lived in a "poor" area of any city either. The south in Saskatoon, the east and north east in Saskatoon, so I don't think you're really insulated. More lucky than anything. The east side has got a pretty serious crime problem of its own, although not quite as violent as that of the west.
I too am very glad I've never had to live on the west side of the river. Kept me sane.
Yeah well Saskatoon has real isues... If the cops actually did something about it instead of focusing on minor issues it would be alot better. I, as well, haven't been victim of any really bad crimes. Lucky? Yeah, but if they're robbing the elderly, how long will that last?
Stephan, you made comment of the "incompetent, sometimes corrupt police force" in Saskatoon. That's a pretty broad statement saying that every police officer is incompetent. Maybe you could post how you've come to have personal knowledge that every police officer in Saskatoon is incompetent. As for corrupt, I would guess that you're talking about the aledged behaviour of a few of the officers in dealing with aboriginal people; I don't think "corrupt" is the right word ... it implies that they're on the take when that's not the case here.
Shanlee, could you be more specific as to what you'd expect "cops" to do and on what "minor issues" they're focusing that you think that they should not? Maybe your insight as an expert in law enforcement and crime prevention could land you a job somewhere.
Otis, I did not intend my comment to be a wide-ranging assertion against every police officer in the force. I am positive that there are some very fine, hard-working and honest police officers in Saskatoon that do a great service to their community. This is more of a case of a few bad apples giving the apple tree a bad name.
However, in my personal dealings with them, I have more often than not been left less than pleased, and generally left with a sense of inadequacy in the way the officers I've dealt with do their jobs.
I will concede that using "corrupt" was probably not the correct term in this situation as I was more or less referring to the way some officers have "allegedly" dealt with some aboriginals. Although, I do feel that they treat the city's youth in a less desirable fashion than they should as well.
The majority of the people that live in Saskatoon that I have spoken with about this are quite upset with the level of service they get from their police service.
My, and I'm sure other's views are in no small part related to the fact that Saskatoon [and Regina] has one of the worst crime rates in the country, and has for a while. Maybe it's not incompetent policing, but it is definitely ineffective.
Fuck the Police.. whether its Regina or Saskatoon. I have only been treated unfairly and with prejudice. Maybe they should spend more time on public safety and less time writing tickets, drinking coffee and eating donuts. I'm going to have to agree with Stephen on this one. Crime needs to be addressed at its roots. Maybe if more time and money was spent on crime prevention instead of enforcement. If they are the police, who then will police the police?
Wow . . . ya I would say that it is getting a little crazy if the same elderly woman gets mugged three times within a month. I mean I knew it was bad and just getting worse by the day but come on. No one should have to be that scared to walk around in pulic . . . makes you wonder what it's going to be like in Sask in about 20 or 30 years.
Sam, I think in twenty or thirty years the cities will more or less have things under control. There is no way an organization like that can stick around with the kind of pressure they operate under.
As recently as last year there were talks of completely disbanding the current police unit in Saskatoon and starting anew (numerous radio programs on Rawlco talk radio channels 650 and 980, just in case Otis wants me to cite sources). Although not exactly the most feasible option, it does seem kind of valid with today's crime problems.
If Saskatoon (and for that matter, Regina's) crime rates begin to rise again (they have been on the fall lately), then things will really start to hit the fan and heads will roll. It's just too bad it hasn't happened already.
Otis,
I could, but that would take effort, I was simply supporting Stephen's idea.. Have a good day...
Hey Otis,
Maybe you could post how you've come to have personal knowledge that yo shit don't stink.