ROTATELLER

 

Submitted by Will Arscott

 

 

We had quite a good turn-out on a very cold day. We met as usual in the Main Dining Room at the Saskatoon Club.  Past-President Wendy Cooper was our MC as President Jack has gone in search of summer in New Zealand. The meeting began with members singing O Canada. Steve Wilson subbed in at the last minute to ask a special blessing. Steve asked for the health of our club recognizing the return of Al Morton. In view of Steve’s own situation this was very well received as we all don’t know what the future holds. Thank you, Steve. The meal was soup, sandwich, and desert.

 

Cashier was Wayne Palmer. Greeter was Avis Hardy. Mark Gryba handled technology.   Parm Sharma and Fred Solomon joined us on Zoom.  In view of the weather, it is surprising that more members didn’t choose the Zoom option.

 

 

Avis introduced our two visitors: Our guest speaker was Erica Weber from the Saskatoon Police Service. She was formally introduced later in the program. Our second guest was Kendra Mazer the new executive director of Hope Restored. She was also introduced later in the program.

 

 

It was great to see Al Morton back at the meeting and looking well.

 

 

Gay Rusu announced that, after a long hiatus, our help has been requested by the Friendship Inn for Monday February 17. This is the Family Day Holiday. Eight people are needed. If you can help, please contact Gary.

 

Will Arscott announced that the regular club Board Meeting would take place on Wednesday February 19 at 4:00 pm at the Saskatoon Club. Mark Gryba pointed out that all members of the club are welcome to attend. If you have any agenda items or a report for the board, please get it to Will by the end of the meeting so it can go out with the agenda ahead of the meeting.

 

As always, grocery cards are available from Donna Gauthier. Please support this fundraiser as it is the easiest project we have.

 

 

 

Avis Hardy introduced Kendra Mazer.  Kendra is the new Executive Director of Hope Restored.  This was her first time coming to our club. We have supported this project for the past four years. Hope Restored is a residential program to help girls and women transition that are survivors of human trafficking. Our support provides funds to reward residents as they move through the program, and it aids them in purchasing needed items such as clothes and shoes. We have now contributed more than $25,000 to this program. Kendra spoke briefly and thanked the club for its ongoing commitment to the project. Avis presented our most recent cheque to the program and the necessary pictures were taken.

 

 

 

Erica was introduced by Gary Rusu. She was already familiar to many of our members as she was the master of ceremonies at a recent Badge, Shield and Star Dinner. Erica grew up on a farm in the Carrot River area. She graduated from the U of S where she studied sociology. She has been with the Saskatoon Police Service for twenty years. It was her sister who first entered policing and Erica was attracted to the profession because of a ride-along with her sister. Erica has two teenage sons.

 

Erica began by thanking the club for the invitation to speak. She got into policing because she wanted to help people. She spoke about the work our club has done and she was still in the field when the RAP program began. Erica is also familiar with the good work done by Hope Restored.

 

Unfortunately, policing isn’t always interested in helping people. In her time in the field Erica saw much of policing involved arresting those who committed crimes and getting them into the court system. In many cases this is short-sighted as it ties up the courts dealing with relatively minor matters and does not address the underlying problems that led to the offense in the first place. She became convinced there had to be a better way of dealing with many lower-level offenses. Erica emphasized that this did not relate to major crimes such as murder, aggravated assault, or sexual assault. 

 

It is an unfortunate fact that helping people and making restorations is not adequately appreciated within the police culture. Restoration involves repairing harm that is done. The typical offender for whom a restorative diversion is appropriate is one who has committed a relatively minor crime, who is housed, and in our city most of the offenders are indigenous.  From the beginning of her work in restoration Erica has worked closely with the Saskatoon Tribal Council. Some unhoused people have benefitted from the program, but too often proper follow-up is impossible because they cannot be located.  

 

Today Erica heads the restorative justice initiative within the Saskatoon Police. From the beginning the approach has been holistic. The Saskatoon Tribal Council was the first and is still the most important partner. Many other groups now participate in the program. Much of the program is indigenous led. The issues that create crime include insecure housing. Even when people are housed the housing costs in the city are such that it may be difficult for them to remain housed and attend to their other real needs. The cost of food is also a concern. As we all know, food has become increasingly expensive. Many of the organizations that have provided food to those in need are having increasing problems meeting the need. Of course, addictions are also a factor.

 

Progress is being made. It is now official police policy in Saskatoon that alternatives must be considered in the case of several categories of crime. In some ways this does not change things as the offenders involved would qualify for diversion within the justice system in any case. This saves significant cost if the situation can be resolved at a lower level and the courts concentrate their resources on significant crimes.

 

The principals of restorative policing are now being taught to the recruits at the Saskatchewan Police College. The Saskatoon Police Service is seeking to become a hub for introducing restorative policing throughout Canada. This initiative began with our previous police chief Troy Cooper. Erica did a presentation in Ottawa that was well received. This summer she will be traveling to Labrador to initiate a program in two indigenous communities. It will take time; change is always hard but is necessary.

 

 Erica was thanked by Wendy Cooper and the regular donation will be made to Bethany Homes.  Bethany Home is a resource Erica knows well.

 

Next meeting is February 24. Presenter is Terry Hoknes on Saskatoon History.

 

 

Adjournment