Ward 3 Councillor: Fairhaven homicide has community still reeling

Residents of Fairhaven are still reeling over last week’s homicide that closed Fairhaven School.

At this time, police have not confirmed if there is a suspect in the attack of the 66-year-old victim.

Last week residents in the area were asked to check their security footage, yards and bins for additional evidence.

A post from a member of the Ward two & three Residents Facebook group suggested a vigil walk will be planned this summer to honour the victim.

“I feel terrible about this, (and) I feel for the families of this individual,” Ward 3 councillor David Kirton said in response to the incident.

“We need to pivot,” he said speaking to the rise in crime. “We need to react quickly to changing situations because situations are changing quickly.”

Kirton said he is working with the Saskatoon Police on an ongoing basis, and in the coming days will relay plans and information about the case to the community to keep them informed. “I believe the police are doing everything they can in this situation,” he said.

Adding he also is working with the city’s fire department and parks. “Our job is to make it as safe as possible in all our neighbourhoods and to make it as clean as possible in all our neighbourhoods,” Kirton said.

Kirton said the perception of safety is just as important as safety itself.
“The perception of safety will allow people to leave their homes and go for a walk,” he said. “It’s the police’s job (and) it’s my job to ensure that the perception of safety is there, and that it is a reality at the same time.”

Officers arrived to the 400 block at 6 a.m. on Wednesday where paramedics were tending to an injured 66-year-old man. He later died in hospital from his injuries. (Shane Clausing/650 CKOM)

A handful of residents in the area by the school expressed concerns surrounding safety following the killing.
“I used to walk in the evenings, and I feel like I can’t walk in the evenings anymore,” said Fran Dobmeier, a resident in the area. “Somebody died here.”

“We recognize the concerns being shared with us following an increase in violent crime throughout the city,”

A statement from the city’s deputy police chief Dave Haye says they recognize the concerns being shared following the increase in violent crime throughout the City.  “We’re continuing to adapt to the needs of our community to address crime and ensure public safety amidst a challenging socio-economic environment.”

According to the police service, several specialized units are present in areas of increased crime.

 General safety concerns in Fairhaven neighbourhood

Saskatoon City Councillor David Kirton and Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand joined The Evan Bray Show on April 18 for a discussion about the state of the STC Wellness Centre in Fairhaven. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

The community has also been critical of the Emergency Wellness Centre which opened in the area in 2022.
According to a report from the Saskatoon Fire Department and Saskatoon Police Service titled “Community Changes and Response to Emergency Shelters,” ever since the opening of the shelter, calls surrounding social disorder, property and violent crimes have increased in the Fairhaven and Confederation Suburban Centre.

Kirton, who has been outspoken about the shelter, acknowledged the concern and suggested reducing the shelter’s capacity could alleviate those safety concerns for residents. He noted the addition of other complex needs shelters in the city could also alleviate those pressures.

Kirton explained the rise in violent crimes is not just an issue residents of his ward are facing, but everywhere from the city to the rest of the country. “Every community is facing this amazing escalation in violent crime,” he said.

Kirton touched on initiatives throughout the city to help address the rise in violent crime such as the police force’s community mobilization units and community support officers who will be present on high incident bus routes.

Kirton also suggests more help is needed from both provincial and federal levels of government to collaborate in finding the root causes of violent crimes and to find solutions.

Kirton will not seek re-election in the municipal election planned for Nov. 13.