City enacts short-term plan to address downtown crime

“We recognize and understand that citizens are concerned about safety in our downtown,” added Mayor Tara Veer. “The downtown was identified as a priority in our most recent Annual Policing Plan, and earlier this year Council committed funding for 10 additional RCMP members, four of whom will be dedicated to the new Downtown core unit.”

Additional patrols by RCMP and Community Peace Officers (on foot and in vehicles) on rotating schedules will be done seven days a week, City officials say, targeting criminal activity and offenders, and directing vulnerable people to available supports. RDES will focus their Safety Codes inspectors in the downtown, and increase their community engagement efforts.

Residents will also see increased clean-up efforts, thanks to additional provincial funding. The Downtown Business Association (DBA) Clean Team will be expanding into Railyards and extending their hours on the weekends. Funding will also be used to enhance The City’s public needle debris public education program.

On an on-going basis, The City also does proactive enforcement on poorly-maintained, or derelict buildings. The City has a list of derelict properties and tracks and records complaints received as well as any actions taken on each property. The enforcement process can take a long time, especially if a property owner is unwilling to clean up their site. The last resort for The City is an application to the court.

“With great RCMP visibility in the downtown, we hope to deter the type of activity that can sometimes occur near derelict buildings,” said Curtis.

(With file from City of Red Deer media release)

by rdnewsNOW staff

City enacts short-term plan to address downtown crime

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