Like many cities across Canada, North Battleford is trying to find ways make the downtown area feel safer.  Mayor Kelli Hawtin says like other urban centres, there are a lot of different uses downtown, including shopping, restaurants and social agencies, and there are challenges of perceived safety, business retention, and attracting customers.

That’s where the conversation came in with Battlefords RCMP Detachment Commander, Inspector Ryan How. Hawtin says the Detachment and the City of North Battleford has announced a new initiative to enhance North Battleford’s downtown area. It’s all in the very beginning stages right now, but at this point the increased police presence has begun with multiple foot patrols daily from the RCMP and the City of North Battleford’s Community Safety Officers. Next, is having social agencies and cultural leaders alongside officers when they patrol so people in need can be directed to where they can get help.

Inspector How says, “The goal of the police presence is to ensure the safety of the public, while establishing more links for people suffering from addictions and health issues to receive the help they need.” The new downtown RCMP team will also work with business owners to enhance safety for their properties through the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design model. How explains that this includes things like better lighting and trimming back overgrown bushes to make it more difficult for any criminal element to try something out of public view.