West Kelowna extends downtown security patrol into the winter

The City of West Kelowna has extended the contract for security patrol in the city’s downtown area until the end of the calendar year.

Patrols will continue seven days a week into the late evening hours.

After a successful trial period, the downtown security patrol has been extended to the end of December. Find out more at https://t.co/41v7afTbuf

— City of West Kelowna (@WestKelownaCity) November 13, 2018

This comes after what was deemed to be a successful trial that began in August and last through October.

City staff reported to Council in October that there was a noticeable reduction in crime and mischief in the area during the two-month trial.

The costs of hiring Paladin Security to patrol public areas like Westbank Centre Transit Exchange and Westbank Lions Hall were virtually offset by a lack of vandalism repair and a reduction of Bylaw enforcement in the area.

“Over the past few weeks I have been speaking with many residents and business owners in the downtown area of our community and the topic of security always comes up,” said Mayor Gord Milson.

“The trial security patrol has, without a doubt, made a huge difference for these people. The patrol puts eyes and ears on our downtown every day and, sometimes, it’s just that presence that can help keep the peace.”

Council will continue extending the downtown security patrol into the new year during its 2019 budget deliberations.