The initiative stems from requests and complaints from downtown businesses. Photo credit: Facebook/Hamilton Police Service
The Hamilton Police Service (HPS) recently announced that they have reintroduced “park and walks” and a new “Core Patrol” program in response to ongoing issues in the downtown core.
The move comes after requests for more patrols from multiple businesses in downtown Hamilton, including both downtown BIA executive directors.
Downtown Hamilton BIA Executive Director Emily Walsh and International Village BIA Executive Director Susie Braithwaite delegated to City Council back in June, saying that the area is becoming increasingly unsafe which is negatively impacting businesses.
A number of other businesses had previously voiced their concerns to the Hamilton Police Services Board. Those businesses included Denninger’s on King Street, Sheraton Hotel, Homewood Suites by Hilton, and Staybridge Suites.
Their concerns included reports of shoplifting, abusive language, assault of workers, car break-ins, aggressive panhandling and other antagonistic behaviours, trespassing, loitering in front of businesses, drug dealing, drug use, robberies, and property damage.
After those concerns were heard, Hamilton Police decided to reinstate “park and walks” in the downtown core. As the name suggests, officers serving the area are expected to take time during their shifts to park their police cruisers and walk the streets on foot.
Then, on Thursday, June 29, HPS announced that they were also introducing a new “Core Patrol” program in addition to park and walks.
Core Patrol consists of two officers who will monitor the downtown, primarily by foot, each Monday to Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM.
HPS hopes that by having the same officers patrolling the same area each day officers will be able to forge relationships with business owners and those on the streets. In the end, the officers will be better equipped to deal with any situations that arise.
HPS announced that Core Patrol has already started as of Monday, June 26. The area the officers will be focused on runs east-west from Wellington St to Bay St and north-south from Cannon St to Hunter St.
HPS Superintendent David Hennick said in a press release that the force knows that “feeling safe when dining, shopping or visiting the downtown core is important and the presence of Core Patrol is the first step in delivering a positive experience in downtown Hamilton.”
Core Patrol officers will also be able to quickly connect to the HPS Social Navigator Program and/or Rapid Intervention and Support Team which both help those dealing with homelessness, addiction, and mental health, connecting with community workers and paramedics if necessary.
Police used to have a similar program to Core Patrol, but had to redeploy officers elsewhere in order to distribute resources properly.
Justine Wilk, Owner and Executive Sous Chef at Gastro Market approves of HPS’s increased help.
“As downtown business owners we can use the support in improving the vibrancy in our city. These additional resources will be helpful in attracting more people to spend time downtown,” she said.
Denninger’s staff are also grateful for the increased police monitoring. A recent survey taken of staff by management found that 73 per cent of workers at the King St location do not feel safe walking in the store parking lot after dark.
A strong majority also said that they feel unsafe at work.
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
