More officers to patrol downtown Guelph over safety concerns

More police officers are set to patrol Guelph's downtown for the next six months as part of a new pilot project from the Guelph Police Service.

Starting April 1, four additional officers will operate as full-time downtown resource officers tasked with patrolling the downtown area and working with local businesses.

"It's a concern that we're hearing over and over again, and it's that people are feeling unsafe in the downtown core," said Const. Kyle Grant.

Police said the officers will join downtown resource officer Const. Mark O'Connell and the new unit will be led by Sgt. Dustan Howe.

"A big part of being a downtown resource officer is you get to know everyone in the communities," said Grant.

"You go around the stores, you go around the merchants and you speak to them and you ask them, 'How's everything going? What issues are you having?' And then you look for solutions to whatever issues are going on."

Police said the six-month pilot is to develop a long-term strategy to ensure the downtown area remains "a safe, vibrant and thriving part" of the Guelph community.

"Our core does have some problems. We've seen people suffer from homelessness, from chronic addiction issues," Grant said. 

He added Guelph is also a university town and has a number of bars in the downtown core.

"These are some of the things we're looking at for possible solutions," he said.

Grant said the police presence will be round-the-clock during the pilot.

Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie warned enforcement alone won't solve problems in the downtown.

"Homelessness, substance abuse and illnesses related to mental health have a profound impact on our community," Guthrie said in a release. "These issues affect all of us and it is our collective responsibility to make sure no member of our community is left behind."