By Will Stos
The Downtown Rideau Business Improvement Association (BIA) recently wrapped up a pilot project where private security guards were hired to provide added protection for shoppers and to discourage vandalism and petty crimes.
Some Centretown business associations say their experience with private patrols has been a resounding success.
Three years ago, a joint partnership between the Bank Street, Somerset Heights and Somerset Village BIAs created the first private guard patrol units in Canada in a business district.
Gerry LePage, executive director of the Bank Street Promenade, says some business owners were leery about the proposal initially, but after the patrol’s first season on the streets most concerns disappeared.
“Our mandate is to be the eyes and the ears (on the streets) and to communicate with the appropriate social agencies to ensure that problematic individuals are taken care of and that we get proper emergency vehicles in times of crisis,” he says.
According to LePage, the BIAs originally looked to private security when aggressive panhandling and vandalism became a growing problem in Centretown’s business district.
“Aggressive panhandling was simply out of control, according to our members, and it wasn’t necessarily a priority for police,” he says.
But not all parties concerned say the program is an ideal way to keep Centretown safe.
Geoff Broadfoot, president of the Ottawa Police Association, says his association is not in favour of private guards on patrol.
“These guards are not police officers who are trained how to deal with aggressive pan-handlers. We can’t tell store owners what to do, but it’s best to call the police,” he says.
LePage says the guards are not meant to replace regular police patrols, they are meant to augment them.
“If we have a problem that we’re able to relay it as soon as possible,” he says. “It’s essential to communicate with the police, but if it’s a social issue the police don’t want to be called. When we do call they know it’s a priority call.”
He adds that initially there was more hesitation on the part of the police, but now some officers have seen the benefit of the program.
“At first they said, ‘You wouldn’t hire them if you felt we were doing our job,’ but now they see that it’s been positive.”