Saskatchewan passed additional regulations to combat the use of bear spray as a street weapon in December.<\/p>\n
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But Saskatoon police reported 10 bear spray attacks over the long weekend alone, raising concerns of regulation effectiveness and safety in public spaces.<\/p>\n
Since the implementation of The Safe Public Spaces Act, Saskatoon police reported 23 bear spray incidents in December and 31 incidents in January.<\/p>\n
Police say preventing bear spray attacks can be challenging even with the new provincial regulations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are seizing it and we are laying the appropriate charges, but we have to see it,\u201d says Saskatoon Police Chief Cameron McBride. \u201cSo whether it\u2019s in a public space or not, if you don\u2019t see it and you don\u2019t know it\u2019s there, you can\u2019t deal with it. And so, unfortunately, because it\u2019s being concealed, we don\u2019t know until they\u2019ve pulled it out and used it.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Centre mall provided the following statement to Global News:<\/p>\n
![\"Get](\"https:\/\/globalnews.ca\/wp-content\/themes\/shaw-globalnews\/images\/skyline\/national.jpg\")
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\u201cAn incident occurred at The Centre whereby bear spray was discharged. We are grateful to our security team and the Saskatoon Police Service for their prompt response. After a thorough cleanup, the affected areas were cleared for public access.\u201d<\/p>\n
Midtown plaza provided the following statement:<\/p>\n
\u201cThese incidents are very concerning to everyone. We are working diligently alongside SPS, the Downtown BID and City Council to improve the safety in our downtown community and to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for our customers, tenants and staff. We will politely decline your request for an interview.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both declined to interview about safety in their respective locations.<\/p>\n \n\t\tTrending Now<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\u2018Long live the king!\u2019: Trump faces backlash for comparing himself to royalty<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n \n\t\t\t\tArizona plane crash kills at least 2 people after midair collision<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n McBride also declined to comment on bear spray being acquired online, noting police are doing what they can.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going to comment on that right now. But certainly now that you\u2019ve brought it up, I can give you my assurance that if that\u2019s the case, it will be looked at for sure,\u201d McBride said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, as municipal police, we only have so much control over what\u2019s happening online, particularly when you\u2019re introducing international sources.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
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