As studies of bear spray assaults enhance throughout Saskatchewan, so too does frustration from residents.
Calls are mounting for provincial and municipal governments to impose rules on the sale of bear spray, which is presently solely restricted by age.
Earlier in December, draftsman and former mayoral candidate Cary Tarasoff submitted a report back to Saskatoon metropolis council calling for the regulation of bear spray inside the metropolis — a report he says was ignored.
“The officers on the police division are asking for this overtly,” Tarasoff says. “And it’s not a matter of ‘what’; now we have to speak to them to determine what they need. It’s been publicly (mentioned) in information studies, stay interviews, they’ve said. I don’t understand how a lot clearer you might want to be.”
Tarasoff expressed his frustration at Saskatoon’s metropolis council deflecting duty on the matter.
“You say, properly, there’s different methods folks can get it. Nice. Make them go to these different methods. Stop giving them the straightforward methods which might be inside the metropolis. At the very least tie these up for the beginning. That’s what the police are asking for. They’ll’t cease every part, however they’ll, , ask politely for metropolis administration and metropolis council to present them some backing,”
Prior to now, cities like Edmonton and Vancouver have carried out bylaws addressing bear spray resulting from assaults rising. Each cities did so on the request of their respective police chiefs, who supported the extra rules.
Regina’s deputy chief of police, Lorilee Davies, says regulation enforcement would profit from the same motion in Saskatchewan cities.
“I might say it’s undoubtedly one thing that we’re involved about. And definitely, any alternative for us to have extra instruments within the toolbox is one thing that we might advocate for, for certain.”
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Bear spray is also referred to as oleoresin capsaicin spray. Designed to discourage bears as a method of final resort, the spray causes extreme ache and discomfort to any who come into contact with it. It’s non-lethal however can disable many individuals if utilized in a crowded space resembling a bus or meals courtroom.
“And even I feel if folks aren’t instantly impacted by way of the spray, I feel it does have an effect in your perceptions of security, for certain,” Davies mentioned. “And that’s clearly regarding for us,”
Davies can be the second vice-chief of the Saskatchewan Affiliation of Chiefs of Police (SACP), a physique of police officers advocating for public security in communities throughout the province.
Davies notes the SACP has frequently requested the province for additional regulation of bear spray each in 2024 and beforehand.
“That’s one thing that the SACP has mentioned to the federal government this yr and in earlier years, is that if there have been tighter controls on the level of sale, that that will assist us,”
Davies notes that current laws round bladed weapons included some new instruments for police to handle the bear spray situation. Beneath the brand new laws, officers can seize any bear spray discovered on an individual in metropolis limits and make abstract judgements if costs ought to be positioned.
“In city areas, you’re in a park, you’re in a faculty floor, you’re in a film theatre, like all of these locations, there in all probability isn’t a necessity for bear spray,” Davies says. “So, the truth that we will now take that bear spray and lay a cost, I feel is an efficient avenue for us. And I feel actually that laws across the city facet of it did converse to what police companies, particularly in Regina (and) Saskatoon, have been saying.”
The Saskatoon Police Service mentioned in an announcement that as of Dec. 13, there have been 315 incidents this yr the place “Bear Spray or different burning liquid was probably the most critical weapon current.”
“In 2023, there have been 256 incidents,” the assertion mentioned. “This information solely the place bear spray or different burning liquid is probably the most critical weapon current (not essentially discharged). Additionally price noting is that this doesn’t embrace incidents the place extra critical weapons resembling weapons have been current.”
If this pattern continues, Saskatoon could also be on monitor to have almost one bear spray incident a day, regardless of earlier calls from police and residents to have serial numbers or id connected to its sale.
Saskatoon Mayor Cynthia Block acknowledged police requests to manage bear and pepper spray prior to now, indicating she would assist adjustments to the present point-of-sale guidelines.
“The police chief has been fairly clear that he actually helps a distinct means ahead to ensure that we will a minimum of determine the place the sourcing is, the place individuals are buying it,” Block mentioned.”
“And other people must register, and also you’d should have an ID in order that if there was ever against the law dedicated with bear spray, the one who is the unique proprietor could possibly be tracked. I feel that’s one solution to begin to ensure that we’re getting forward of a rising situation in our metropolis.”
Some assist provincial laws that municipalities may choose out and in of, whereas others name for native authorities to implement its personal bylaws.
“If bear spray or bladed weapons are an issue inside a jurisdiction, they’ll say, ‘Yeah, we’re opting into that laws,’” Davies says. “Then it offers their native police companies … simply one other instrument within the toolbox to have the ability to cope with it.”
Police and RCMP encourage residents to concentrate on their environment in mild of the current enhance in bear spray use, including any suspicious exercise ought to be reported to regulation enforcement as quickly as potential.
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