POLICE BEAT

Kindersley RCMP Respond to Seven Fentanyl-Related Calls for Service Since April

Between April to July 2023, Kindersley RCMP responded to seven calls for service involving suspected fentanyl – three resulting in fatal overdoses. The fatal overdoses occurred on May 14, July 4, and July 12, claiming the lives of three adult males.

Kindersley RCMP responded to four other calls for service where naloxone was administered by either an emergency responder or a civilian present, aiding in the resuscitation of two males and one female.

Through police investigation, the illicit drugs are suspected to be fentanyl, made available in a crystal-like form, sometimes tinted with a red or purple colour.

Autopsies and toxicology analyses have been ordered by the Saskatchewan Coroners Service to confirm the nature and role of the suspected fentanyl in the fatal overdoses.

Fentanyl is a very potent opioid pain reliever and is sometimes mixed with other street drugs. It can take many forms: a colourful powder, chunks, pills or patches. A few grains of fentanyl can be enough to kill you – we hope to illustrate the magnitude of the danger this drug leaves in our communities.

Saskatchewan RCMP is urging the public who consumes illicit drugs to take special precautions when using:

• Never use alone,

• Let someone you trust know of your plans to use,

• Always carry a Naloxone kit. They are available free of charge at many locations in the province,

• Call 911 if you suspect an overdose is occurring.

For more information on ways to protect yourself, or someone you know, when using illicit drugs, read Saskatchewan RCMP renews warnings about the dangers of illicit drugs after recent overdoses.

Getting dangerous illicit drugs off the street continues to be a top priority for the Saskatchewan RCMP. If you have information regarding these incidents or the substances involved in these incidents, please call Saskatchewan RCMP at 306-310RCMP. Information can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submitting a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers. com.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day – August 19th

The City of Martensville will be holding a Hazardous Household Waste (HHW) Collection Day on Saturday, August 19, 2023, from 9:30am to 3:30pm in the parking lot of the Martensville Sports Centre.

This event will give residents of Martensville the opportunity to dispose of a variety of hazardous household waste and chemicals that cannot be disposed of in the regular garbage or recycling collection. Improper disposal of hazardous household waste can result in contamination of the environment, including waterways and greenspaces within the City. Visit Martensville.ca, under waste and recycling for a full list of items that can be disposed of at HHW Collection Day.

Landscaping or Working on your Property this Summer?Things You Should Know

To eliminate damages to public properties, the City has created the Access to Private Property Through Open Spaces Bylaw.

Permit required - Any person or business that will be driving a vehicle or equipment over city open space to access private property are now required to apply for a permit before gaining access. A permit is also required if the work will require storage of material or equipment in an open area.

If you require access to your property through a public space, buffer or park, please contact City Hall before doing so.

Please consult the Bylaw for more information or contact City Hall if you have questions before starting your project.

August Council Meeting Dates

Please Note: Council Meetings may be attended in person, guests may wear a mask if desired within Council Chambers. Those still wishing to attend but would wish to do so virtually should contact the City Clerk or visit the online agenda for the link to attend.

August 8th – Committee of the Whole August 15th – Regular Council Meeting

All Meetings are located at Martensville City Hall Council Chambers - Martensville City Hall - 37 Centennial Dr. S.All meetings commence at 5 PM.

Those wishing to address or do a presentation to Council must be placed on the agenda. To be placed on the agenda please contact the City Clerk’s office at City Hall or visit the website for details.

The full Council and Committee of the Whole Schedule can be obtained at martensville.ca

Reminder to Clean-Up after Our Pets

Please be reminded to clean up after our pets on the pathways and the off-leash dog park. The mess can be potentially harmful to other pets, exposing them to parvovirus and these public spaces are for everyone to enjoy. Remember to bring along a baggy or use one of the baggy stations located along the pathways and dispose of the mess properly.

Wide Array of Charges Laid Near Chamberlain

From Tuesday July 11 to Thursday July 13, 2023, the Saskatchewan RCMP checked approximately 4500 vehicles on Highway #11 by Chamberlain, Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan RCMP Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) partnered with officers from Saskatchewan Highway Patrol of the Provincial Protective Services (PPS) Branch to conduct the traffic initiative. The focus for police officers was removing impaired drivers, unsafe vehicles and vehicles towing recreational items (ex. campers, trailers and boats) improperly from Saskatchewan roads.

Here’s what was located; 40 driver’s licence suspensions for being impaired by cannabis, 1 driver’s licence suspension for being impaired by cocaine, 1 driver’s licence suspension for being impaired by alcohol, 7 tickets for cell phone use while driving, 17 tickets for seatbelt offences (ex. not wearing a seatbelts, child not in a approved car seat), 9 tickets for driving an unregistered vehicle, 4 tickets for possessing or consuming cannabis in a vehicle, 189 tickets were issued for various other offences (ex. speeding, vehicle equipment violations), 13 vehicle inspections were issued, 4 drivers located with current licence suspensions, 31 vehicles taken out of service for various infractions (ex. no trailer brakes/signal lights, no safety chains on a trailer), 2 drivers were arrested in relation to outstanding warrants, 3 drivers were driving without valid licence, 3 people charged under the Tobacco Act - one driver had over 10,000 cigarettes in the vehicle and 898 warnings were issued.

*These violations and tickets were identified/issued between 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday/Thursday.

42 vehicles were impounded for impaired driving at the dedicated traffic stop on Highway 11 this week. The Saskatchewan RCMP has seen an increasing number of licence suspensions, specifically for cannabis use.

“Saskatchewan RCMP officers have advanced training in using specialized tools to detect drug impairment, which has ultimately resulted in a rise in cannabisrelated licence suspensions since 2019,” says Superintendent Grant St. Germaine, officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP’s Traffic Services. “Perhaps surprisingly, the individuals facing license suspensions as a result of our proactive traffic initiative this week were everyday commuters – some even going to work or travelling with young children. Our RCMP officers on duty in Chamberlain, in conjunction with Saskatchewan Highway Patrol, helped make our roads safer this week – and for that I am grateful.”