Sask. farmers look to set up patrol to protect rural properties
'If they’re going to keep doing this, we’re going to have to protect ourselves and our property'
Barry Kidd installed the first security cameras on his farm five years ago after his property was broken into. Now the Rosetown, Sask.-area man sleeps with two guns near his bed as the area continues to deal with crime.
"I worked hard for this place to build up the way it is, and I don't want people coming in robbing me. This is my stuff, not theirs," Kidd said.
- 'Let us do our jobs': RCMP respond to Sask. farmers taking up arms
- Several Saskatchewan RCMP units searching for 3 armed suspects
Some farmers in the area have shared photos with CBC News of guns they travel with while harvesting, saying it's a precaution due to crime in the area.
On Monday, Rosetown RCMP responded to a report of an attempted armed robbery of a farmhand who was allegedly approached by three masked men carrying guns.
Kidd has lived on his farm, near Zealandia, for more than 40 years.
There used to be a time when he didn't feel the need to lock the doors to his home. Now he has a security system he is continually upgrading and secured guns kept "handy" around his property.
Kidd was one of the area producers who attended a meeting Thursday night to discuss a community patrol system. He said the idea would be to rotate shifts keeping an eye on property in the area.
- Sask. farmer says carrying a firearm turns from fending off wildlife to personal safety
- SARM asks for more police officers as farmers take up arms
"That's the way it is. If they're going to keep doing this, we're going to have to protect ourselves and our property."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
