Nurse strangled at hospital
Border business closes
BC teacher reprimanded
Two hurt in refinery fire
Quebec drowning in red ink
Bay's liquidation, explained
Incredible story of survival
Rattled by U.S., Russia deal
'Gov. Hot Wheels'
Napster sold for $207M
Airline accessibility upheld
Temporary foreign pilots?
Teams shine at provincials
Vipers lose two games
Rockets close on sour note
Depardieu, France on trial
John weeps over mortality
Momoa gets nod for work
This year may be the last for the seasonal security in the city centre.
Vernon city council will receive a report on the security program that was introduced on a recommendation from the Activate Safety Task Force for the past three years.
But staff is recommending the program not continue in 2023.
“Bylaw compliance officers have noted that there are several mobile security companies under private contracts operating in and around the downtown core each night. Council has dedicated approximately $120,000 for the three-year seasonal security contract which has now ended. A total of 32 calls for service were reported over the duration of the contract. Based on the limited calls for service, administration is recommending that council not proceed with the program in 2023.”
Council does have the option of authorizing $40,000 to continue the program next year.
The report states “an analysis of the 1,069 recorded observations by the security service between May 1 to September 30, 2022, revealed all observations involved street-entrenched individuals. 50.1 per cent of the security service observations were made on city streets, lanes, downtown parks, the bus exchange and public washrooms, while the other 49.9 per cent were made on private property where individuals were observed in private alcoves, doorways and private parking areas accessed off a lane. Further analysis revealed that 52 per cent of security service observations occurred in the BIA primary area while the other 48 per cent of observations occurred in the BIA secondary area.
“Where necessary, security officers reported overnight calls for service to the RCMP, Vernon Fire Rescue Services, BC Ambulance, city operations or bylaw compliance for follow up. Over the duration of the 2022 contract, eight calls for service were reported for first responder follow up.”
The mobile security service operated seven days per week from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. between May 1 and Sept. 30.
To see the full report, click here.
