Regina mayor talks crime during City Hall Hotline

Regina has seen a spike in crime this year, especially those involving guns, gangs and vehicle thefts.

During his appearance on City Hall Hotline with John Gormley on Tuesday, Mayor Michael Fougere said the police are already working with community partners on crime prevention.

But for crime in progress, they might need help.

“The police need more resources, I believe, to continue to keep our city safe,” said Fougere.

“We’re seeing a different type of crime happening here. It used to be knives, now it’s with guns. People are stealing cars in the commission of a crime and typically drugs are involved as well.”

The use of guns has led to an increase in the number of attempted murder charges being laid, the Regina Police Service said during its biannual crime update on Thursday.

Through the first half of 2019, there were 23 attempted murder charges. At the same time last year, there were only five.

This fall, more reports are coming on initiatives and strategies to combat crime, Fougere said.

Eyeing the 2020 budget

With summer over, Fougere said council’s most important business will be budgeting for next year.

There will be a number of infrastructure projects to plan for, like renovations to the Globe Theatre and concept plans for the railyards project. The mayor said he hopes those will be ready for public consultation this fall.

Fougere also said despite the province’s refusal to seek federal infrastructure funds for two Regina pools, they will be built.

“Maple Leaf will be done, (it) will be constructed beginning next year and the year after that, we will do the Wascana Pool and we will be reapplying through Infrastructure Canada and the province for funding for Wascana Pool once again,” he said.

“And we will be putting forward transit projects as well … Our transit system is in need of some reinvestment and a transit hub downtown is our big priority as well.”