It was announced at Monday’s council meeting that the City of Portage la Prairie may take part in a conference on crime issues organized by the City of Thompson.

Based on the crime severity index values released by Statistics Canada for 2011 Thompson decided to extend an invitation to the top ranking cities to discuss crime issues they might have in common. Areas of concern included addition, education, and housing.

In his letter to council Mayor Tim Johnston noted that Thompson ranked first over all in terms of violent crime and second overall in overall crime and non-violent crime for communities over 10,000. He also noted that Portage la Prairie ranked among the top five in at least one of those categories as well.

“In our opinion the communities likely share many similarities. As such it would be our suggestion that the communities meet to discuss crime and specifically, indicators and perhaps some common actions to address the issues, as well as put forward recommendations to senior levels of government,” wrote Johnston in his letter to council.

Johnston also extended an invite other communities including North Battleford, SK, Prince Albert, SK, Yorkton, SK, Williams Lake, BC, Prince Rupert, BC, and Yellowknife, NWT. Thompson would be willing to host the conference or to meet in a more central location.

The City of Portage la Prairie decided Monday that this is definitely something they would be interested in discussing and that they will request more information.