Yellowknife (May 21/04) - Stepping up foot patrols in the city centre are being welcomed by downtown businesses, which say crime continues to be a major problem in the city's core.

Police say they are stepping up foot patrols in the downtown area to help reduce crime. - NNSL file photo

"Anything along those lines would be welcome," said Tim Gawne, manager of the CIBC branch on the corner of 50th Avenue and 50th Street.

"(Crime) has been a problem in the downtown area since I came here in 1983," he said.

Vandalism, shoplifting and other crimes cost businesses in the downtown core thousands of dollars. The Centre Square Mall alone spends about $8,000 a year replacing broken windows.

RCMP officials hope that by stepping up foot patrols in the area around 50th Street, they'll be able to discourage rowdy behaviour.

More visible

Last weekend, officers patrolled the downtown area on foot for a total of 11 hours, said Const. Kerri Riehl, who hopes that number will increase in the coming months.

"We want to be more visible," said Riehl.

The mere fact that officers are walking the beat, instead of circling in a patrol car, will help re-enforce the message that the police are watching, said Riehl.

The decision to step up patrols came after police received several complaints from citizens and downtown businesses.

Pat Winter, a part-owner of Yellowknife Home Hardware on 51st Street, hopes the increased police presence will help curb crime.

Last year, Winter said someone threw a rock through one of her windows and a man was attacked and mugged on the street just outside the store.

"Anything is a good idea," she said.