Why 'Peacekeepers' have been key to the success of Saskatoon Tribal Council's new shelter
The work of staff known as Peacekeepers has been an integral component of the success of the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) Wellness Centre, according to an administration report on downtown safety and wellbeing to Saskatoon City Council.
"The Peacekeeper model started as an STC employee who was trained to ensure safety within the Wellness Centre," said the report, to be received as information at Tuesday's meeting.
"The process for people entering the building includes safety measures such as the use of metal wand detection, removal of shoes and removal of exterior bulky clothing. This process is facilitated by the Peacekeepers in a respectful manner."
The report says that with the warmer weather more people are gathering outside, "which is encouraged and welcome." The city and partner agencies are working to mitigate any increase in vandalism, garbage, and open drug use around the exterior of the building.
"An enhanced Peacekeeper model has been implemented to perform perimeter checks every 15 minutes, to communicate with those gathered and play a role in encouraging respect for the public realm," the report says.
Two Peacekeepers are on staff. The STC's goal is to increase that to five Peacekeepers and one maintenance staff every shift, according to the report.
In addition, the Wellness Centre has been offering job opportunities to support relatives on the path from homelessness to shelter to transitional housing.
"Some of the relatives have been provided the opportunity to develop a sense of responsibility through picking up garbage, cleaning windows, sweeping sidewalks, and other tasks," the report says.
The STC is part of a city-led committee working to improve downtown safety and wellbeing. The committee also includes Saskatoon Fire Department, Saskatoon Police Service, the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Review Committee, the city's utilities and environment department, Saskatoon Land and the Community Support Program.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre marches with soldier protesting COVID-19 mandates ahead of Canada Day
Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre joined the final leg of a march led by a Canadian soldier charged for speaking out against COVID-19 vaccine requirements that has sparked promises -- and fears -- of a new wave of protests in the capital.

Convoy organizer Lich to spend at least 5 more nights in custody
Ottawa protest organizer Tamara Lich will spend at least five more nights in custody in Ottawa after she was arrested in Alberta for allegedly breaching bail conditions.
Approximately 675K eligible to vote in Conservative leadership race: party
The Conservative Party of Canada says approximately 675,000 members will be eligible to vote in this year's leadership race.
Omicron cousin BA.5 predicted to cause nearly 70 per cent of COVID-19 cases by Canada Day
Researchers examining the threat of emerging COVID-19 strains predict Omicron BA.5 will account for nearly 70 per cent of cases in much of the country by Canada Day.
Supreme Court says expanded rape shield laws are constitutional
The Supreme Court of Canada says the expanded rules to further prevent a sexual assault complainant's past from being used against them in a trial are 'constitutional in their entirety.'
Stocks are down, but here's why experts say you shouldn't panic
As stocks continue to slump, it can be easy to let your emotions take over if you've got money invested in the market. But experts agree that there's no need to panic if you're invested in the right type of portfolio with the right level of risk.
Health Canada says baby formula shipments coming, but supply to remain limited during summer
More than a month after Canada reported a shortage of baby formula for allergic infants, Health Canada says supplies will continue to be limited during the summer even with new shipments on the horizon.
Importing dogs from more than 100 countries to be banned in Canada
Animal rescue groups are criticizing a new policy by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that will ban the import of dogs from more than 100 countries.
WATCH | Physician expects new COVID-19 variants every few months: 'Whole world is a petri dish'
An emergency room physician in Toronto is warning that COVID-19 variants will continue to 'mutate endlessly' as the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 are poised to become the dominant strains of the virus.