Red Deer RCMP Downtown Patrol Unit bike (Red Deer RCMP)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Driving up safety

Red Deer RCMP say positive feedback received by community for Downtown Patrol Unit

Sep 11, 2023 | 2:56 PM

The Red Deer RCMP say their Downtown Patrol Unit (DPU) has received positive feedback from the community regarding their efforts.

The DPU is an specialized unit dedicated to the downtown to provide highly visible street presence in the city core while creating connections with citizens, business owners, and social service agencies.

Travelling on foot, riding bicycles or Segways, and driving police vehicles, Mounties say members of the DPU have created solid relationships and support the safety of business owners and patrons, as part of the Red Deer RCMP downtown initiative.

The RCMP confirm that the DPU has been making patrols before downtown businesses open. They say, on average, 60 percent of DPU files are a result of proactive policing; meaning files are generated from police-initiated client interactions like enforcing infractions, providing support, and making referrals to vulnerable populations.

Cst. Geiger says that they have met with various downtown businesses in the last few weeks who have expressed their gratitude for the work done by the DPU.

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“Businesses have conveyed that without the Downtown Patrol Unit, their business would not be able to function. Clients are afraid of people that linger in the downtown core, and the DPU does an effective job in making their clients and patrons feel safe,” said RCMP officials in a release.

With the assistance of Senior Management Team, Traffic Services, Domestic Violence Unit, and Youth Community Action Team, Red Deer RCMP says they have increased their overt presence downtown over the last few months.

“We engaged with the citizens of Red Deer, and were acknowledged by residents for the work we continue to do,” they said in a statement, adding that they believe the DPU has had a positive impact on the downtown core.