By Lara Fominoff @LaraFominoff on Twitter

First steps to implement Lethbridge Ambassador Watch Program now under way

Jan 30, 2019 | 4:08 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Expect to see volunteers with bright red jackets helping to patrol downtown Lethbridge later this spring.

A posting for a civilian manager to oversee the city’s new Ambassador Watch Program is currently listed on the City of Lethbridge website, while a recruiting drive for volunteers will begin in mid-February. Training will occur in April.

There will be at least 10 summer paid members on patrol, along with a full-time civilian manager and anywhere from 50 to 100 volunteers. Highly visible red uniforms will be issued to all members.

The program, one of two new initiatives approved by City Council during the last budget will be modeled after a similar program in Winnipeg. Volunteers will be deployed in Lethbridge’s downtown area seven days a week with the goal of providing an additional “layer of safety” for citizens who need safe walks, real-time emergency communication, de-escalation of potential conflicts and other services.

Police Chief Rob Davis, who was tasked by City Council last year to come up with ways to mitigate safety issues and concerns in the downtown area, says Lethbridge is a pioneer of sorts in Alberta, with this initiative.

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“We’re getting some interest. The CPO (Community Peace Officer) thing is being watched by other agencies because we’re unique in the sense that we’re going to have them – they’re going to be under the police structure… and then to have The Watch here as a volunteer group to be those eyes and ears – we’re catching the attention of some people.”

He also says it’s a way to “test-drive” a career for those who may be interested in law enforcement, social services or addictions counselling.

“The reality is, when The Watch is out on patrol, they’re going to be exposed to things well beyond policing. Yes, they may see criminal activity, but they’re also going to come across social issues, addiction issues. And so, what I’m really excited (about), that this is going to be a pathway to a career for many people.”

The volunteers will be working with the Community Peace Officers, adds Davis, and will be able to directly community with one another, with police and with the emergency communications centre.

Davis says they’ll be looking for people with diverse backgrounds, and those with diverse experiences.

“We heard loud and clear in our last community survey and community stakeholders survey that there’s an appetite for the community to become engaged and volunteer with us and help us. And so, the timing is perfect that the community is that vocal that they want to help… this is a natural relationship.”

Lethbridge City Councillor Jeffrey Coffman also says municipal government heard loud and clear that there was a need for additional resources downtown. Now, council is trying a multi-faceted approach to addressing some of the most important issues, and the Ambassador Watch Program is part of that effort.

“When the Chief and the (Police) Commission presented the idea or the concept to council back in the fall, we quickly understood how this would change the dynamic of policing in our community.

“This is an opportunity now, to make these connections with the community. Not just with the residents and the businesses in the downtown core, but those who need the services as well. This is part of an additional $3.3 million dollars that council has dedicated towards safety, towards cleanup in the downtown core in support of downtown residents, in support of the BRZ, in support of the Chamber (of Commerce) and businesses.”

And Downtown BRZ Executive Director Ted Stilson says over the last year, there have been a number of businesses that have suffered because of a measured increase in crime in some areas, or a perception of crime in others.

“With the addicts in our community and being in close proximity to the downtown core, there was an increase in panhandling, shoplifting, break-ins in vehicles. Similar to what was happening in the general community, but because we’re closer to the SCS (Supervised Consumption Site), that impacted our downtown even more than usual.”

Speaking with some business owners, Stilson says some lost 20 to 60 per cent of their income last year, some of which are or had been in the downtown for generations.

“However, we’re already seeing a turnaround,” he adds. “There’s an increase to the diversion outreach team. They now have two teams. The downtown policing unit increased the number of officers working in the downtown. So just those little changes alone, with perception and having more eyes on the street…. have made a difference already. So, we’re already seeing people coming back.”

The Community Peace Officer and Ambassador Watch program will be funded for the next two years by council, at which time LPS will report on the results. Funding for additional years will be decided near the end of 2020.