Downtown businesses acknowledge crime issues, along with uptick during pandemic

Many of Saskatoon’s downtown businesses see the issues the area faces, but some aren’t quick to speak out.

The issues were highlighted in a recent letter to city council, penned by Saskatoon developer Ken Achs. Achs cited four key points to issues in the downtown core in the letter.

He outlined the location of the bus mall, the social services building, the general perception that the downtown is not safe, and the location of the Lighthouse as the major issues that negatively impact the area.

Some business owners said they weren’t comfortable answering questions or speaking about these issues due to fears of backlash, or negative reviews.

One business that did speak about the issues, however, was Living Sky Cafe. The business has been operating for just over two years in its 3rd Ave. location.

Jenna Dube, co-owner of the establishment, said the issues have been magnified due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With regular business people out of the area, it created a larger problem in the core.

“It allows the people to just congregate in larger numbers and not feel uncomfortable about being out and about,” Dube told 650 CKOM Tuesday.

Living Sky Cafe is also near the low-income housing Herman Building. Dube said she understands that the police, along with Community Support Officers are trying, but they are outnumbered in the downtown core.

“They are trying, for sure. It’s just almost like, it’s such an uphill battle for them. I don’t know how they can really keep a handle on it,” she said.

“I know that the Lighthouse definitely has a lot to do with it. Anytime we’re out delivering catering or anything, it’s very obvious that that’s where the issue is coming from.”

When they first opened up shop in May of 2018, Dube explained that the issue was there during that time as well.

“There was the odd people using drugs, injecting back there (in the back alley) or drinking back there and passing out.”

A few months ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic began, Dube said the windows of her business were smashed out with a crowbar in the middle of the day. She did mention that most of the issues they see are happening outside of their doors.

Her solution to the issues in the downtown included either moving the Lighthouse or increasing security in the facility.