Have you been driving or walking around town and noticed vehicles with a CSG logo on the side?
The City of Dauphin launched its six-month Downtown Safety Pilot on Tuesday.
CSG is the Classify Security Group, which will conduct regular foot patrols throughout the downtown core, Vermillion Park, and the Dauphin Recreation Complex.
"This is another important step in our ongoing efforts to improve community safety and increase the visible presence in our downtown and other key spaces," said Lisa Gaudet, Deputy City Manager. "So we've heard concerns from downtown businesses, residents, visitors, and community organizations about public safety. That and the overall experience in some of our public spaces."
CSG staff will patrol during the daytime, afternoon, and evenings. The schedules may change based on what they see is happening in the community and where the need is.
"So this flexibility allows us to deploy resources where they have the greatest impact," added Gaudet.
The pilot is intended to respond to concerns of local businesses, residents, visitors, and community organizations.
There are four officers in town from CSG who will work in shifts conducting foot patrols and checking public spaces.
"They'll be assisting members of the public where appropriate," added Gaudet. "And helping connect individuals with community resources when needed. They will also contact the RCMP whenever police intervention is required."
The officers are intended to complement - not replace - the work of the RCMP and emergency services.
During the six-month pilot, the City of Dauphin will monitor patrol activity, gather feedback from businesses, residents, community partners, and law enforcement. They will evaluate the program's effectiveness in improving public safety and community confidence.
Council will then have information to determine the next steps.
"So whether that's to extend private security patrols or implement a community safety officer program," ended Gaudet. "I think that will be a task for the new council in October to grapple with and make those decisions based on the data we can accumulate through the pilot."
So if you see a CSG vehicle driving through town, you can have confidence knowing the City of Dauphin has listened to you and wants to make the community as safe as possible.
The pilot is supported through a $200,000 grant from the Government of Manitoba's Safer Neighbourhoods, Safer Downtowns Public Safety Strategy.
