By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Oct 12 2007
There will be an increased presence in downtown Vernon, but it won’t be from private security.
City council agreed Tuesday to move three bylaw enforcement officers from part to full-time to address safety issues. “They will walk through the parkade, the parks and downtown,” said Leon Gous, chief administrative officer. This route was selected over continuing to hire security guards through the Commissionaires, a private agency. The Commissionaires were used by the Downtown Vernon Association during the spring and summer. “They will have more authority than the Commissionaires,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham, of the bylaw enforcement officers. And while the main focus will be downtown, Cunningham points out that the bylaw enforcement officers can pursue issues elsewhere in the community.
“If there is a displacement of the (criminal) problem downtown, there is an opportunity to address it,” she said. It’s hoped that bylaw enforcement officers could hit the street by 6 a.m. weekdays but the city must work out an agreement with CUPE. Currently, the union contract only allows employees to start regular duties at 7 a.m. The cost of expanding the three officers to full-time duties will be $17,000 for the rest of 2007, and $71,500 for 2008. In comparison, the remainder of the year would have cost $24,000 for the Commissionaires and $96,000 for 2008. The DVA is willing to see how expanded bylaw enforcement unfolds. “It’s a positive development with council recognizing there needs to be more resources downtown,” said Earl Hansen, executive director. “Our members will monitor things to see how it goes.” For Hansen, the early-morning period must be a focus of enforcement because merchants and their staff are heading to work when it is still dark out. “It can be very intimidating for an individual walking alone on the city streets,” he said.
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