Wadena/Foam lake RCMP officers were able to make patrols in all the communities in their area during the month of February, Sgt. Burton Jones says.

Over the next few months the detachment will continue to increase patrols, he told Bolt FM.

“When I go to most of the town meetings, one of the things that comes up almost every single time is that they want to see more police visibility,” he said.

“I think honestly people feel they are much safer when the police are around, and when they see the police they know they’re close by and they know they’re making patrols.”

He included that information in his most recent report to Wadena town council. He also raised the issue of fentanyl, the deadly opioid that has been added to other street drugs in Saskatoon, Maidstone and Weyburn.

The detachment has not yet had contact with fentanyl, but Jones fears it’s a matter when, not if, the drug appears.

Every front-line RCMP officer now carries a Naloxone kit, which can save the life of a person who has overdosed on fentanyl.

“We’re just trying to make sure we’re prepared to safely handle a situation like that,” Jones said.

He also said he’s not convinced increased fines will deter people from speeding, though that’s always the hope.

Anecdotally, he hasn’t seen a significant decrease in the number of people with alcohol in a vehicle since that fine was raised, he said.

“It’s hard to say, it really is. Only time will tell.”