Starting Thursday night, the La Ronge RCMP is going to be on the lookout for young people out late at night.
The town has had bylaw that sets an 11 p.m. curfew for youths under the age of 18 since 2005, but police resources haven’t always been available to enforce it.
“It really came down to an RCMP availability to actually police it. This is a priority now, we’ve identified it as a priority,’ said La Ronge Mayor Thomas Sierzycki. “It’s an immediate aspect to make sure that our young people are off the streets and safe by 11 p.m.”
For anyone who lives in La Ronge, the reason behind the changes that Town Council committed to – including the curfew enforcement – in a Wednesday night meeting are abundantly clear
Recently, a rash of home break-ins, thefts, vandalism, and property damage have led to multiple charges against youths. Youths stand charged with the most recent, in which property in some homes were smashed and left a mess behind. The RCMP says three boys – a 13-year-old from Hall Lake, and a 15 and 16-year-old from Lac La Ronge – who were arrested are suspected of all of last week’s incidents. A vehicle was also stolen.
Sierzycki says he feels for the homeowners.
“I was disgusted. It’s very depressing and very sad to see that people have to do that, especially when the people of La Ronge work very hard for the things that they do have,” he said.
He adds that things like break-ins, thefts, and property crime committed by young people have roots in issues like poverty, domestic struggles -including addictions and violence, and crime.
“This isn’t a clear-cut issue. These issues stem from socio-economic injustices and certain aspects where…. young people feel marginalized and that’s what we need to do is, 1.) look at the root causes which is beyond a municipality but as a society,” he said.
In the long run, the town will create a task force to deal with what’s leading these kids to crime. It’s to be called the Anti Property Crime/Vandalism Task Force, ad will involve the Chamber of Commerce, RCMP, community members, and council members. The group will look at community-based solutions that could include a neighbourhood watch-type patrol. Nothing is off the table, Sierzycki said.
But the reality at the moment is tough to swallow.
On Wednesday, La Ronge RCMP announced that a recent search of several houses on the Fairchild Reserve and 101 Reserve led to the seizure of stolen guns, ammunition, electronics, and more.
Sierzycki responds, saying “when you sit in the mayor’s chair you are privy to some information that at times is fairly confidential in terms of the types of crime that are happening in your community and certain aspects. Unfortunately this didn’t surprise me and that’s the sad part. La range, we’re not immune to issues that perhaps you would think that a larger city may have.”
He said he expects a public meeting to address the issues to come early next year.