St. Paul RCMP members have been conducting foot patrols in downtown in a move that has been welcomed by the community. “People are liking the interaction with the police; and they're liking the visual presence,&” said Staff Sgt.
St. Paul RCMP members have been conducting foot patrols in downtown in a move that has been welcomed by the community.
“People are liking the interaction with the police; and they're liking the visual presence,&” said Staff Sgt. Lee Brachmann, who noted the RCMP are conducting foot patrols in downtown “hot spots&” as part of its crime reduction strategy and in response to concerns expressed by business owners, residents and town council.
The detachment had been piloting the program for a couple of weeks, but Brachmann said it would now be taking foot patrols on as a detachment-wide project, which it would continue into the foreseeable future, depending on the program's success and the detachment's call volume.
At the May 25 town council meeting, Coun. Dwight Wiebe told his fellow councillors he'd been visited by RCMP at his downtown store, with the member just checking to see how things were going.
“I think that's fabulous,&” said Wiebe.
One local resident, Katie Webber, had also posted a widely shared Facebook message to the St. Paul RCMP, saying she'd seen members walking the streets and one talking to a couple younger children.
“All three had big smiles on (their) faces and as I drove by, the officer gave the kids a high five and continued on his way,&” she said, adding, “Thank you for all that you do! We very much appreciate your hard work and dedication to our community!&”
