The City of Red Deer is adding more police officers to its Downtown Unit (rdnewsNOW file photo)

By rdnewsNOW staff

MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW

City council approves new downtown police officers

Sep 4, 2019 | 4:11 PM

The City of Red Deer is dedicating more police officers to the downtown area.

During Wednesday’s Mid-Year Budget Review meeting at City Hall, council reallocated funds to add three new members to the Downtown Unit – one additional RCMP member and two Community Peace Officers – bringing to eight the total number of officers in the unit, twice as many as a year ago.

“We are continually looking for ways to enhance community safety through enforcement, prevention, intervention and education,” Mayor Tara Veer said in a release. “The addition of officers to the newly formed Downtown Unit will substantially enhance the integrated policing presence in the downtown core, an area which is a primary focus in the Annual Policing Plan as a result of community concerns.”

The City says the two new Community Peace Officers are proposed to have the enhanced authority related to mischief and theft under $5000 which are Criminal Code related offences, a first for Community Peace Officers in Red Deer.

Dedicating eight officers to the downtown, City officials say, will help increase police visibility improving perceptions of safety in the downtown, help improve relationships between social agencies and people, and result in a decrease in property crime and criminal activity.

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“The funds being reallocated were originally budgeted to fund current RCMP officer’s overtime to focus on the downtown,” said Paul Goranson, Director of Protective Services. “Adding additional resources rather than overextending our officers is a more efficient use of people and optimizes our policing budget.”

Also during the Mid-Year Budget Review, council approved increases to user fees for Setters Place at Great Chief Park. The increases will be phased in over three years starting in May. Public skating will continue to be offered at Setters Place with admission rates aligning with other arena public skating opportunities.

Council approved $45,000 to allow the Red Deer Public Library to conduct a full HVAC assessment at the downtown branch. The work will need to be completed in 2020.

As well, first reading was passed to increase the budget to complete Phase 2 of the Central Park Water Distribution System Project following the completion of detailed design while accounting for inflation. Council agreed to fund the additional $682,200 through debt. If the amended budget and bylaw is approved by Council, administration will meet with Central Park residents to discuss the next steps including repayment, design requirements and construction plans.