'People feel unsafe': Prince Albert business group hires private security to patrol city's downtown
The Prince Albert Downtown Business Improvement District (PADBID) is hiring a private security company to supply guards to patrol the city's downtown during regular shopping hours.
“The feedback that we've been receiving is that people feel unsafe coming to the downtown to shop,” said PADBID Executive Director Rhonda Trusty.
She says business owners have noticed an increase in vagrancy.
“We have an element of people that are loitering in doorways that at are approaching customers for money of cigarettes,” Trusty said.
After discussions with the board, PADBID hired two private security guards.
Prince Albert Security Services has been hired by PADBID to supply two security guards to interact with the public and help direct those in need to services. Participating businesses will also be able to call the security guards while on duty to report issues.
“We just want to create an element of safety and create a positive shopping experience for people so they can enjoy coming back to the downtown,” said Trusty.
The security guards start work on July 1. They will work during regular daytime business hours, from Tuesday to Saturday until the end of September.
PADBID, Prince Albert Police Service and Prince Albert Security Services are collaborating to establish the pilot project.
The group has asked the guards to count the number of interactions with people. PADBID plans to use the data to seek government funding for future security projects.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.