Loon Lake mayor asks for support due to crime, church fire

By Glynn Brothen

The mayor of Loon Lake has written to the provincial government to say he’s on the verge of declaring a state of emergency after a rash of criminal activity in the community, culminating with a suspected arson last weekend at a local church.

Mayor Brian Hirschfeld said he woke up on Saturday morning to learn the St. George Anglican Church burned down. He said the building was iconic in the village, and council had at one time considered applying for heritage status for the church.

Some in the village are questioning the timing of the fire, feeling it may be connected to the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation as there have been a series of Anglican and Catholic churches that have burned since possible residential school burial sites were discovered. Others, however, think it is just one of many criminal activities in the community.

Hirschfeld said because the community is dealing with ongoing crime ranging from vandalism to theft, and many are seeing the fire as the final straw and are becoming desperate.

“The taxpayers are sick and tired of it, and the word ‘vigilante’ has come up lots. We’re trying to get everybody to stay calm and let the police try to do their job,” he said, noting that he also feels the frustration.

“My neighbour across the street is 75 years old and he got hit (by vandalism) six times in a month,” he said. “I’m on the verge of… debating or seeing if it’s possible that we can call a state of emergency. That’s how bad it has gotten.”

The mayor wrote a note to the offices of both Premier Scott Moe and Saskatchewan NDP leader Carla Beck, pleading for assistance.

“I want you to deal with this personally. People are talking about vigilantism and that is a scary notion,” Hirschfeld wrote. “If I do not hear back from anyone about this in the next few days, I am prepared to call a state of emergency. This is a plea for HELP!”

Moe’s office replied to the mayor to tell him the letter was forwarded to the office of the minister for corrections, policing and public safety.

Hirschfeld said he also heard back from MP Gary Vidal, and said the community is seeking more assistance in the way of additional RCMP officers and potentially the provincial marshals service.

He said the range of damages the village is responsible for in terms of an insurance claim is roughly $40,000.

Anyone with information on the fire was asked to contact the Loon Lake RCMP.