City Council Monday night approved a pilot program which will bring back downtown security foot patrols.
The City is using funds made available by the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB). The DSSAB notified the City earlier this year the organization could make a one-time contribution to assist the Downtown Ambassador Program.
City staff will proceed with a RFP for foot patrols which would begin at a home base at the Downtown Plaza and proceeding along Queen Street.
It’s expected patrols would be in service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The hours could be revised based on feedback and metrics to provide the best possible coverage.
Reports are to be filed daily or weekly to a manager or supervisor.
“Downtown security patrols do make the public feel safer,” said Mayor Matthew Shoemaker, who along with Ward 3 Councillor Ron Zagordo, thanked the DSSAB for their contribution. “There is a sense of security when you know there are security officer in the vicinity.”
The Downtown Association funded its own private security patrols from 2020 to 2022. The DTA discontinued patrols with the announcement of greater city police presence in the downtown core.
