NORTH BATTLEFORD — Weeks after North Battleford's Crime Severity Index (CSI) Conference wrapped up in Saskatoon, North Battleford mayor David Gillan addressed longstanding conversations about the communities fairly sinister reputation as being dangerous, but also that the CSI is allegedly contributing to that issue.
Speaking at the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce Power Hour Friday, he said, "You did see the news articles last, we had a very successful meeting ... The City of North Battleford and 10 other cities here in Western Canada that are adversely affected by this [CSI.]"
Gillan said that the CSI started in 2009, and it's been going on for 15 years.
"And we're questioning and we're delving into the methodology on how it's created," he said, noting that academics show that there are many ways of looking at crime.
"Why is this model always pumping out that the City of North Battleford or Thompson [Man.], Wetaksin [Alta.], Cold Lake [Alta.], all these cities are always at the top?
"What the obvious problem with all this is, is it destroys the reputation of the communities that are on this list," he said, noting that it makes it's harder to attract workers, businesses, teachers, healthcare workers, and more.
"It's across the board ... everyone is facing this reputation issue, of North Battleford and of course it affects the surrounding communities as well."
The municipalities, he said, want to create a new index to measure crime, not hide statistics from the public but preventing them fairly.
He also wanted to dispel the idea that anything good comes from ranking communities against each other.
"Crime is a very complex matter, there's a lot of elements and context that go into crime statistics, these statistics were meant for the police force ... [not] lets just compare communities and call one more dangerous than the other."
Gillan added that it was brought up to him in Whistler in January and that the North Stars are struggling to recruit players because people are worried North Battleford is dangerous.
"It is everywhere, it is the dark cloud that hangs over the Battlefords ... is this hurting the community? You can be sure it is, and we're doing our best at the city to get rid of it."
The group of municipalities, Gillan said now, is growing and the fight will be going to Ottawa and the national chiefs of police.
And Minister Jeremy Cockrill, MLA for The Battlefords, also on the power at the Power Hour even, noted that he appreciates the city spearheading these lobbying efforts.
"Certainly, the City of North Battleford and those other cities involved can expect the province to join the lobby effort to change the CSI."
Frankly, he said, the CSI has to not be reported publicly.
