More Overnight Security Teams are hoping to help in bringing order to Edmonton’s downtown.
The Night Patrol Program which has been running for the past six months, costs the Downtown Business Association (DBA) about $400,000, and consists of security guards from Backwoods Security Services, a company owned by Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation on Treaty 6.
Boyle Street’s Hiregood peer support workers also accompany the guards.
The Downtown Business Association isn’t responsible for downtown safety but have chosen to take the matter into their own hands.
The teams patrol the streets between 12:20 a.m. to 8:30 am every day of the week and also collect incident data.
Since the program began they have reported 47 counts of vandalism or graffiti, 82 trespassing incidents and 10 dumpster fires. The guard have also precented two break-in attempts and assisted with 61 wellness and medical checks.
The team focuses on conversational de-escalation and not carry weapons or conduct arrests but teams do carry naloxone kits for when they encounter potential overdose scenarios.
The night Patrol Program funding came from the cities Downtown Vibrancy Fund and staff are hopeful that funding can continue to see the program operate into next year.
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