After seeing a drop in crime and mischief in downtown West Kelowna, the City will be extending its security patrols from now until the end of the year.
Earlier this year, they hired Paladin Security to patrol around downtown facilities like the Westbank Lions Hall and the Transit Exchange.
“The trial security patrol has, without a doubt, made a huge difference for these people,” says Mayor Gord Milsom. “The patrol puts eyes and ears on our downtown every day and, sometimes, it’s just that presence that can help keep the peace.”
The reduction in criminal activity also meant less money spent on repair costs due to vandalism, as well as less calls to Bylaw enforcement in the area.
The contract for the initial two-month trial ran from August until the end of September, but was later extended for another month.
West Kelowna City Council will be considering another extension of Paladin’s contract during the 2019 budget deliberations.