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The City of Prince Albert’s Bylaw Division is managing a surge in calls about garbage, barking dogs, property conditions, and encampments now that snow has melted and yards are fully visible, marking the start of their busiest season.
Due to the high volume of reports, Bylaw staff are responding to complaints based on a priority system. Public safety concerns — such as encampments, property conditions, and dog bites — are given the highest priority. Lower-priority issues like barking dogs and general garbage complaints will take longer to address.
“We are asking residents to be patient, to be good neighbours, and to talk to each other. If you can pick up garbage in your neighbourhood without reporting it to Bylaw, that would be a big help,” says Trina Wareham, Bylaw Manager for the City of Prince Albert. “We also encourage residents to report discarded needles using the Discarded Needle Reporting Form.”
Property Amenities Complaints
Concerns regarding property amenities — such as boarded-up houses, junk vehicles, and unsightly yards — are ongoing issues that require time to resolve. Once reported, these complaints are already in the system. Please do not report the same concern multiple times; repeat reports will not escalate the priority. The process takes up to 21 days if the property owner complies; without compliance, after 21 days, the City can either clean the property up as resources are available or, in the case of derelict properties, this can even escalate into a legal process, which extends the timeline by months. Patience is important as the Bylaw division works through the process.
Encampments on the Rise
The number of encampments continues to grow. In April 2025, the Bylaw recorded 49 encampments, compared to 21 in April 2024. Addressing encampments is complex and requires a coordinated approach to balancing public safety concerns and providing support to individuals in need.
"Individuals in encampments are often victims of crime. It's a priority for the City to work closely with outreach organizations to respond in a humane and coordinated way," says Anna Dinsdale, Manager of Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB). "One of the challenges is ‘hotspot’ areas where dismantled encampments return the following day."
Bylaw Officers patrol hotspot areas daily to help prevent encampments from re-establishing.
The Encampment Strategy Funding allows the City to increase its resources and focus on coordinated and long-term solutions.
“The added funding allows us to coordinate with emergency and outreach services as part of the bigger picture to address homelessness,” says Anna Dinsdale, Manager of Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB).
Community Clean-Up Week: May 5–10
To support a cleaner city, the City of Prince Albert encourages residents to participate in Community Clean-Up Week from May 5–10, 2025. During this week, residents can dispose of acceptable items free of charge at three designated drop-off locations across the city. Accepted Items are household garbage, electronics, metal, appliances, grass and leaves, cardboard, and recycling. Tires and hazardous household waste are not accepted.
For more details about drop-off locations and clean-up week information, visit the Community Clean-up webpage.
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For more information, contact:
Anna Dinsdale
Manager, Community Safety and Well-Being
City of Prince Albert
306-953-4884
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