RADISSON – Neighbours of a man who has been charged with breaching court conditions to stay away from children want him gone from their community.
Carrying placards, a handful of residents from Radisson hit the streets Saturday and chanted “protect our kids” to protest the 47-year-old known as Sir Brent Habetler living in their town.
Several police agencies had raided Habetler’s Radisson home on Oct. 16 and arrested him. RCMP's Battleford General Investigations Section, RCMP High Risk Offender Unit, RCMP Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team, RCMP Crime Reduction Team and Federal Support Services, RCMP Highway Patrol and Wilton Police Service assisted with the investigation.
RCMP say that Habetler had violated court-ordered peace bond conditions not to be at a playground. They say they identified Habetler as the suspect who had approached and spoken to a young child at a playground at Sandy Beach Regional Park on Aug. 27.
During the raid of Habetler’s residence, police found three loaded, unsecured firearms. RCMP charged Habetler with disobeying a court order, unauthorized possession of a firearm, three counts of unsafe storage of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and possession of a firearm knowing its possession was unauthorized.
Habetler had entered into a peace bond in November 2023 in Lloydminster Alberta Court of Justice not to be at any swimming pool, daycare, day school, or youth centre for one year. The peace bond was the result of charges against Habetler from an incident at the Lloydminster, Alta., swimming pool. A trial scheduled for January 2024 was vacated after he agreed to the peace bond.
The protest in the town of about 466, was organized by Radisson Fire Chief Nathan Halischuk. The protesters started at the Radisson Fire Hall and made their way to Habetler’s home.
“We feel that there hasn’t been justice served,” said Halischuk. “He keeps getting off every time that they catch him doing something and we are just doing this to make awareness and hopefully next time nothing happens.
“Police are doing their job,” he added. “It’s the justice system that is letting us down. I don’t want him in the community but I also don’t want him in anybody else’s community.”
Halischuk, who is the father of a young girl, said the protest was aimed to make Habetler aware that the community is “watching” him.
Likewise, Radisson resident Terri Mitchler who has lived in the community for about 27 years and is a grandmother to a young girl, said she would like to see him in jail.
Chalyn Graver, carrying a sign that read, “I hear Bermuda is nice this time of year,” said she wasn’t certain what their protest would accomplish but hoped it shows him that town folk are keeping an eye on him.
In April, Habetler fled Bermuda days before his sentencing hearing after he was convicted for committing an indecent act in public, and assault.
A Bermuda court sentenced Habetler in absentia to 10 weeks of jail for the indecent act and fined him $500 for an assault.
Saskatchewan RCMP, in an email, said that Warman RCMP were aware of the event scheduled for Saturday and that they had spoken with the organizers of the event about their plans.
“Generally speaking, we do not disclose specific details of any potential police response to a report or incident to ensure police and public safety,” said Saskatchewan RCMP.
Habetler was released from custody after appearing in North Battleford Provincial Court on Oct. 22. He is expected back in court on Nov. 26.
-With files from Angela Brown
