SASKATOON -- RCMP in Saskatchewan say they're doing what they can with the resources they have when it comes to patrolling and responding to calls in rural areas.
Mounties held a news conference in Saskatoon to try to ease public fears about the crime rate in rural Saskatchewan.
"We know that people are frustrated, that they feel vulnerable and violated when their property is stolen," Supt. Mike Gibbs, commander of the central district, said Thursday. "We understand that and don't want to minimize it."
"But our first priority will always be in responding to calls where people are in danger of being hurt or killed. We investigate every complaint we receive. But between our resourcing level, the volume and priority of calls, and the vast distances our members have to deal with, it can take some time to respond.
"If we're not getting to you, it's likely because we're responding to a higher priority call."
On Sept. 19, police said three masked suspects armed with handguns allegedly approached a farmhand in west-central Saskatchewan. Shortly after, there were media reports of farmers carrying firearms during harvest, and RCMP then urged people not to take the law into their own hands.
Gibbs said there has been an increase in complaints of property crime since last year, specifically in that west-central area. He could not provide any numbers.
But the Mountie said "carrying guns in anticipation of, or in preparation for a confrontation, is not safe for anyone."
Norm Hall, president of the Agricultural Producers' Association of Saskatchewan, said he's not hearing much fear directly from farmers, but has seen comments on social media sites.
Hall said the bigger concern is that some RCMP detachments have been amalgamated, so officers are further away from calls, and detachments are not all fully staffed.
"If you've got a detachment that is supposed to have seven officers and it has five, they're running maxed out all the time and just unable to get to all the calls that are necessary," said Hall.
"I guess what I'm saying is, yeah, I hope farmers aren't doing anymore of the self-arming thing, but in certain circumstances, if they are far enough, I don't like using the term, but out in the boonies, if they're far enough from a detachment, maybe they will."
The RCMP said as of Sept. 15, there were 11.5 vacancies out of 924 RCMP officers. There were also 20 positions where people were off for maternity leave, sick leave or suspension.
Gibbs said detachments are combining resources and have organized extended patrols to help address the rural crime issue.
"We adjust our patrols and try and do the best with what we have. I encourage people again not to take matters into their own hand because we don't want the Wild West. That's something that we're very concerned about."
He also said people could help by locking their homes and vehicles.
"While we might long for the days when didn't have to remove our keys from our vehicle or lock our fuel tanks, those days are unfortunately gone. What isn't gone is how we look after one another," said the superintendent.
"Keep an eye out for your own property and your neighbours, but do it within the boundaries of the law."
