EPS chief says “I can’t wait” to increase the presence of downtown police

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Edmonton Police Chief Dale McPhee says he is in a hurry to place more police in a central neighborhood after a series of 24-hour violence incidents.

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Talking to the police committee on Thursday, Makfi admitted that he made a statement just a few days ago about increasing downtown patrols in June.

“I can’t wait. This will start next week,” McFee said.

Police currently have 21 police officers in downtown Beat. This is about half the number four years ago.

“Downtown, including Core, Chinatown and 118th (Avenue), has a growing visual presence. If possible, we will strive to strengthen our ties with transportation and police officers in other areas. We will work on our own as needed. “

The chief added that Edmonton Police Services is still working on the details of how officers move, but the idea is to add a “substantial” police presence for more visibility. He also wants a human-centered engagement and liaison partnership (HELP) team to work with additional executives.

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HELP supports executives over the phone and connects people who are often subject to social anxiety disorder to the Navigator of Boyle Street Community Services. The navigator assists in case management and provides the services you need.

The police committee heard the latest information about the program on Thursday — nearly 900 people have mentioned the program since it was launched in early 2021. For about 40 people with a more important history of disability phone calls and police involvement, it was reduced by more than 60 percent after being connected to help their average monthly police contact.

McPhee’s comment came after the Parliamentary Commission had a heated debate on the police budget on Wednesday as the city was considering laying the groundwork for the police budget.

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The police chief said that while the conversation was taking place, police resources from other parts of the city needed to be called in to respond to multiple downtown emergencies.

He gave an overview of the list. A driver rushes to a person suffering from a mental illness just outside police headquarters and is seriously injured, a shooting injures a man as a result of discussions outside the pub, and non-profit staff must intervene. Not McPhee was trapped and threatened by someone who said he had a history of violence.

Two people were also injured at LRT Bay / Enterprise Square Station on Wednesday, and murder agents are investigating the deaths of two men. One died in an assault in the Chinatown area, and the other was found dead near the scene. attack.

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According to McFee, moving downtown executives is a “must do”, but it’s not sustainable in the long run.

“I would like to apologize to the citizens of our city, because there are areas in our city that are out of service for some time and also need services,” he said.

“We have moved a lot of resources and heard their voices to enter certain areas at stake not only today, but not only in the last 24 hours, but over the years. I don’t feel it. “

In a statement Thursday, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said he was “ravaged” after hearing about recent violence in Chinatown.

“I heard Chinatown calling for stronger security measures. Following my motion to allocate funds and resources to the core of Chinatown and downtown on Monday, an immediate solution in collaboration with the community and EPS. Will find. “

masmith@postmedia.com

twitter: @meksmith