Budget Breakdown - Mobile Patrol Question

THE QUESTION IF THE CITY NEEDS TO HIRE A PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANY TO PATROL NOTORIOUS LOCATIONS AND THE BUDGET COSTS IF THEY DO IS SET TO BE DISCUSSED

The potential costs are up to $162,500 annually

Moose Jaw’s growing reputation of not being a safe and friendly city in the wee hours of the morning has Council considering implementing a Security Patrol Program for some of the city’s most notorious locations.

Ran as a four week pilot program in October - November the patrol centered on Crescent Park, and other known areas of concern such as Happy Valley Park, Moose Jaw Cemetery, Elgin Park, Wakamow Valley, Town 'N' Country Mall, Kinsmen Sportsplex/Skate Park, the Moose Jaw Public Library, and the Moose Jaw Events Centre.

UNHOUSED SLEEP IN A DOWNTOWN ATM. IF AN ENHANCED SECURITY PATROL IS ADOPTED THE UNHOUSED WILL LIKELY BE A FOCUS - MJ INDEPENDENT PHOTO

The pilot program focused on areas of the city that had had some “unsettling” incidents although the nature of those incidents was never publicly disclosed.

Cost of the Security Patrol Program is pegged at $3,250 per week with the patrols running Thursday to Sunday 8 pm - 4 am and Monday to Wednesday 8 pm - 2 am.

The $3,250 per week correlates with the following expenditures:

  • 9-week program from July 1 to September 2 - $29,250

  • 13-week program from June 13 to September 12 - $42,250

  • 17 week program from June 3 to September 29 - $55,250

  • 22-week program from May 15 to October 16 - $71,500

  • 26-week program from May 1 to October 30 - $84,500

  • 31-week program from April 3 to November 6 - $100,750

  • 50-week program from January 15 to December 31 - $162,500

According to the report to Council “the intent of the program was to place uniformed security personnel in a marked vehicle as a deterrent to the unsettling incidents that are occurring in these areas.”

Another area the patrol was to address - according to former city manager Jim Puffalt - was providing a report about any homeless people they happened upon and provide information to them about services available.

In the public documents released there is zero evidence this ever occurred.

During the four week pilot program there were six incidents reported to the Moose Jaw Police Service.

Four of those incidents involved “squatting” at various businesses or park spaces.

A vehicle dangerous driving incident was reported.

A potential break-in at a business turned it to be a false alarm.

City staff used the service 21 times for escorts after hours to their vehicles.

The Facilities and Buildings Supervisor also accessed the service two times for after-hour escorts into City facilities because of intrusion alarms going off overnight.

Council will vote whether or not to authorize the patrol and if they do how long of a duration.

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