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Increased patrols hope to create safer downtown

Oct 26, 2017 | 4:08 PM

Pan handling and general safety downtown has prompted the City of North Battleford to increase its Community Safety Officer (CSO) presence in the area.

The decision was made last week in conjunction with the reopening of downtown after months of construction. City manager, Jim Puffalt, said the officers began patrols Monday.

“We think we will be more effective and more proactive if we are up and down the street,” Puffalt said. “Our idea is that we will be able to stop issues from happening because we will be there more often.”

City staff originally presented council with an amendment to its current bylaw asking to increase the distance a panhandler be in front of certain buildings from 10 to 100 meters. Council initially voted in favour during its Sept. 26 meeting, however when the amendment came to a third reading Oct. 10, council voted 5-2 against. A local lawyer told council the increase would infringe on human rights.