By Brent Bosker

New bylaw enforcement team targets downtown

Jun 28, 2011 | 4:52 PM

Three groups are coming together to make Prince Albert's downtown a better place to visit and do business.

The Prince Albert Police Service, Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SGLA) and the Downtown Improvement District have partnered on a pilot project that will see more bylaw officers patrolling the downtown core.

“We’re hoping that by increasing our visibility with bylaw officers that we will be able to address the issues that are in the downtown,” said deputy police chief Troy Cooper.

“We tried to examine what the issues were downtown and for the most part they weren’t criminal.”

The bylaw teams will be pounding the pavement during the summer dealing with neighborhood concerns such as littering, noise and issues associated with alcohol. But, Cooper explained their role will be much more than just enforcement.

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“We expect the bylaw officers to be preventative, “said Cooper.

“They’ll be doing a couple of different things. First off, they’ll be a liaison to the business community downtown. They’ll be meeting with not just the alcohol vendors but also with business owners to find out what their needs are. They will be doing case planning for chronic offenders they find downtown.”

“The added resources being provided by our partnership with the police and SLGA are welcomed,” said Downtown Improvement District manager James Banman in a news release.

“The enhanced presence will help address a variety of issues.”

The enforcement imitative also includes an educational component. Two recent graduates of SIAST’s Aboriginal Police Preparation Program will accompany bylaw officers and police foot patrols.

“They don’t have any enforcement capacity, but they do have a professional visibility function,” Cooper said.
“It gives us a greater presence in the downtown.”

The service will measure the results of the program after the summer, before deciding whether it will continue.

bbosker@panow.com