GOVERNMENT REMINDS LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS IN PRINCE ALBERT TO ACCESS HOME SECURITY PROGRAM

The Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing would like to encourage low-income seniors in Prince Albert to take advantage of Saskatchewan's Seniors Home Security Program.

The pilot project has been running for eight weeks and, after a slow-down resulting from the advertising ban during the provincial election, has started to pick up. To date, there have been 127 inquiries about the program resulting in 48 applications. Work has been completed on 18 home security projects and another 28 are in the approval process.

"I am pleased to see that the Seniors Home Security Program pilot is being utilized as a preventative measure," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister D.F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert said. "This program is designed to reduce crime and help alleviate the heightened concern seniors have for their own safety and the safety of their property."

It is estimated that 500 seniors in Prince Albert could qualify for the pilot program, which runs until the end of March. As part of the program, authorized contractors provide a free security assessment and install required security devices at no charge. The devices include deadbolts, door viewers, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

"Some of our members have taken advantage of the program and have gotten better security for their places," Kinsmen Senior's Heritage Centre President Bill Norman said. "It is a good program and I recommend anybody that fits into that category apply for it and get more security for their home."

For more information on the Seniors Home Security Program, call toll free: 1-855-524-6034. Information is also available at several locations around Prince Albert including The Prince Albert Co-op, Prince Albert City Hall, Prince Albert Police Service, the Prince Albert Fire Hall and the Bernice Sayese Community Centre.

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For more information, contact:

Art Jones
Corrections, Public Safety and Policing
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8606
Email: art.jones@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-527-8978

Bill Norman
President of the Kinsmen Senior's Heritage Centre
Prince Albert
Phone: 306-953-4826