Lethbridge not alone in struggle with downtown policing issues

Davis is hoping funding can be approved during Operating Budget deliberations in November.

RCMP and the City of Red Deer have officially launched a new downtown policing unit in hopes of addressing growing crime concerns in that city’s core.

The four-member unit began its duties on November 1, with a mandate to establish strong relationships with area residents and businesses and develop an intimate knowledge of trouble spots and places of concern downtown.

Mayor Tara Veer says downtown has been identified as a priority area in The City’s annual policing plan, with crime and public safety identified as the number one concern for Red Deerians.

“I think the predominant message out of today is that our citizens have been heard,” states Veer. “We are responding to their long-standing requests for a downtown unit. We are taking community concerns for safety seriously and responding through the allocation of 10 additional officers in the community and, specifically, the four downtown.”

In January of this year, Red Deer city council approved $1.53 million for 10 additional RCMP members. Six were allocated to the RCMP‘s Crime Reduction Team (CRT), while the remaining four were allocated to the new downtown policing unit.

RCMP Inspector Dean LaGrange will oversee the new downtown policing unit and says the members will be on foot, on mountain bikes, Segways and police vehicles in cold temperatures.

“The officers will work a mixture of shifts, daytime and evening,” says LaGrange. “There will be times when all four are working together. Obviously not in one group but they’ll cover as much ground as possible in two partnerships.”

Red Deer RCMP Superintendent Ken Foster says the new unit will augment existing measures already in place to reduce crime in the downtown, including increased policing and visibility.

“I caution that people may think this is a silver bullet,” adds Foster. “These are four officers, it’s not a 24/7-365 presence. It’ll take time, we didn’t get here overnight and they have to build those relationships. Crime won’t end in the downtown core or anywhere else in the city but I’m confident it will have an impact.”

Amanda Gould, Executive Director for the Downtown Business Association (DBA) says she’s delighted with the new unit and praises the RCMP for recognizing the need for one.

“This is the best piece of news we’ve had in a while,” exclaims Gould. “It’s been in the works for just about a year and I cannot tell you how delighted I am with the impact this is going to have downtown from so many different perspectives. And to be able to liaise with the businesses and work with all types of people that are here downtown and really make this the great downtown that it actually has the potential to be.”

In the meantime, Lethbridge’s Chief Davis awaits funding that could come from this month’s budget debates.

by Dori Modney with files from Sheldon Spackman - RDNewsNOW

Lethbridge not alone in struggle with downtown policing issues

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