MHPS announces new Downtown Patrol Unit

The plans of the DPU was first announced one month ago.

A friendly chat with a local business is one of the goals the police have with the new DPU.

Cst. Lori Parasynchuk with the DPU says the heart and soul of any city is downtown.

“And I find that relationship building is extremely important in any city. And as police we need to build those relationships with businesses as well as the public using the downtown to ensure everyone feels safe and secure,” she said.

The unit was formed in order to deal with public behaviour issues downtown and increase the feeling of safety for residents and businesses.

“Some of it is as simple as people loitering in front of businesses which is deterring people from using their services. To criminal actions or actions that need to be dealt with by police,” Sgt. Brian Bohrn with the DPU told Chat News.

The downtown unit includes one sergeant and two constables.

Sgt. Bohrn says they were hearing a need and a desire from businesses and the community to have more police presence downtown.

Local business owners feel police presence gives them more of a sense of security.

And more confidence said the owner of King of Trade Dave Brown, “We’re just happy to see the police down here and it’s not always a negative when they’re around, just having their presence is definitely a positive.”

Owner of Phase II Boutique Connie Elchuk agrees, “I think they’ll feel safer because when you see a policeman you just automatically feel safe.”

Sgt. Bohrn says the goal of police is to talk to every business owner to see if they can assist with issues and cooperatively come up with a resolution that’s going to make the downtown a more enjoyable place.

The primary goal is to get downtown and form relationships Cst. Jason Van Mulligen added, “The downtown business owners, as well as the users of the downtown core, find out what their concerns are, and just to make downtown a desirable place again to go shop, eat, and to spend time.”

Police will be out patrolling on foot.

Sgt. Bohrn says their hours, for now, are 8 am-6 pm.

And their patrols will vary in combinations of days and evenings while adjusting to the needs of businesses.

“I encourage anyone who sees us come up and say hi and chat with us. And if you have any issues or concerns let us know, we’re always open to everybody, kids, we want to meet everyone,” Cst. Parasynchuk said.

The DPU will patrol an area including North Railway to 3rd Ave SE, River Road SE to SE Hill with specific attention on maximizing public safety during peak business hours in the downtown core.

by Chantal Wagner

MHPS announces new Downtown Patrol Unit

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