Officers put their best foot forward
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/05/2010 (5837 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Downtown community policing officers are stepping up their fight against crime.
Brandon Police Service Const. Mike Melanson said now that winter is gone, foot patrol season is here.
"We’ve already initiated downtown foot patrols again," Melanson said, adding there are more hills downtown than some may realize but he’s ready.
The foot patrol has been a tradition in Brandon at least since the 1950s but current Chief Keith Atkinson has encouraged officers to use their feet more often.
Weather and lack of manpower dropped the frequency of the patrols during winter, and downtown community policing officers focused on their work with groups like Westman Immigrant Services.
But there’s a renewed focus on the time-honoured tradition now that the weather is better.
The idea is that walking officers are more approachable than those in cruisers, therefore it’s easier for residents and business owners to express concerns.
It also helps establish a rapport with downtown residents, offering a chance to gather information and intelligence that can help criminal investigations.
Once again, stops will include core lounges and bars where police will check for underage drinkers and people known to be under court orders that ban them from drinking.
Melanson said the foot patrols are popular — he’s had business owners approach him to praise the effort.
Times and patterns that officers will walk the beat will vary from day to day but, generally, they’ll be out any time from early morning right up until nightfall, Monday through Friday.
Melanson also mentioned that he and Const. Tanis Basaraba will begin bike patrol season soon.
Bikes allow officers to move quickly in areas where vehicles can’t go, but they also allow them to patrol the city’s trails to ensure children and other citizens are following the proper bike-riding rules.