Downtown Cops
March 20, 2008
THERE'S A CALL TODAY FOR KINGSTON POLICE TO STEP UP THEIR "BEAT" -- AND SHOW A GREATER PRESENCE OF OFFICERS IN THE DOWNTOWN. THAT MESSAGE WAS VOICED BY THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.... AT TODAY'S MEETING OF THE POLICE SERVICES BOARD. WHILE HE PRAISED THEIR WORK IN TIMES OF BUDGET RESTRAINT, DOUG RITCHIE SAYS THERE'S BEEN A MARKED REDUCTION OF OFFICERS ON THE STREETS -- EVER SINCE THE POLICE STATION MOVED OUT OF THE DOWNTOWN LAST FALL. RITCHIE SAYS THE POPULAR FOOT PATROLS GIVE BUSINESS OWNERS PEACE OF MIND -- AND SERVE AS A DETERRENT TO VANDALISM, SHOPLIFTING AND OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES. POLICE SAY RECENT BUDGET CUTS HAVE FORCED THEM TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS, ABOUT WHERE TO ASSIGN THE OFFICERS. DOUG RITCHIE, KINGSTON'S MANAGING DIRECTOR OF DOWNTOWN: "THERE'S 10 THOUSAND EMPLOYEES OF DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES, SOMETHING LIKE 70 PERCENT OF THE COMMUNITY USE THE DOWNTOWN ON A REGULAR BASIS ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS AND THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT. THE PRESENCE OF POLICE MAKES THE WHOLE PLACE FEEL SAFE AND SECURE AND CRIME DOESN'T HAPPEN JUST BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY WELL MANAGED.") DEPUTY CHIEF BOB NAPIER: "AS A RESULT OF WHAT HAPPENED WITH OUR 2008 BUDGET, WE'VE SIMPLE HAD TO RE JIG SOME OF OUR PRIORITIES. THE DOWNTOWN URBAN FOOT PATROL PEOPLE ARE STILL GOING TO BE DOING THAT, BUT THEIR PRIMARY FUNCTION WILL BE FIRST CALL RESPONSE.') THE DOWNTOWN PATROL ISSUE LED TO A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE NEED FOR BEEFED UP STAFFING LEVELS. AND IT MAY PROMPT FUTURE POLITICAL BATTLES, OVER WHETHER CITY HALL CAN AFFORD TO HIRE MORE OFFICERS.
