Hamilton police (HPS) say they’ve stepped up their presence in the city’s downtown in an effort to “decrease” a recent rash of shoplifting, panhandling and property damage reported by retailers and residents in the area.
HPS will place the “Core Patrol,” a dedicated team of officers assigned to the downtown, in areas encompassing Wellington, Bay, Cannon and Hunter streets in response to requests for “proactive policing.”
Supt. David Hennick said the patrols began Monday and are in response to “loud and clear” messages from the community that feels unsafe.
“Downtown property crime and violent crimes are up, and we’ve heard many times from many people that they’re requesting the return of a visible uniformed presence in the downtown core,” Hennick explained.
He says officers will engage with individuals, businesses and stakeholders and gather feedback as well as focus on improving community safety and well-being.
Leaders of two Hamilton, Ont., businesses, who’ve operated in the downtown area for a combined 120 years, told Global News in May an increased police presence in the area had helped with recent “aggressive behaviour” that’s been plaguing the neighbourhood.
“We’ve got folks that exhibit excessive behaviour, both physical and verbal to our staff,” Mary Aduckiewicz, CEO of Denninger’s Foods said.
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“Shoplifting has gone way, way up … aggressive panhandling, we’ve had some property damage … and graffiti, tagging and that sort of thing.”
Troy Thompson, owner of G W Thompson Jeweller and Pawnbroker, revealed similar issues at his shop equating to concerns from customers who’ve felt “a little bit uncomfortable” doing business in the core.
“Reaching out to the police was the first option that Mary and I discussed, and it’s been a positive,” Thompson said.
Denninger’s said about 73 per cent of staff in a recent survey said they didn’t even feel safe walking in the store’s parking lot at King and Spring streets when it got dark.
Hennick says year over year both violent crime and property crime in Ward 2 (downtown) are trending up.
Last September, 194 property crime incidents were recorded by HPS, as of the last month those numbers were at 267.
There were 147 occurrences considered to be violent crimes last month, up from 119 reported last September.
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“So obviously, concern for our members and all of that is taking place in that core area,” Hennick revealed.
“That’s why our members are going to be designated and focusing their time and efforts in the core area.”
Staffing challenges in recent years hindered the deployment of beat cops in the downtown amid retirements, resignations and members off on sick leave.
“Over the course of the last year and a half or so, our human resources department recruitment teams have been working really hard, filling some of the vacancies,” Hennick said.
The patrol is expected to be connected with the city’s Social Navigator Program, referring vulnerable community members to appropriate health agencies, as well as a Rapid Intervention and Support Team.
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