London Police Service opens new Community Foot Patrol office
Just a few hours before London Police Service (LPS) was to open a new Community Foot Patrol Unit location at 183 Dundas St. came word of a stabbing nearby, with a man taken to hospital with what was believed to be a non-life-threatening injury.
Police said the goal is to prevent, rather than to have to investigate, incidents like this.
Acting LPS Chief Trish McIntyre believes a greater presence in the downtown can help police take that step and also bringing some piece of mind to those who work and spend time in the downtown.
"Just to see the officers in and out with some greater frequency,” said McIntyre. “To see them in the area with maybe greater frequency gives everyone, maybe, that sense of calm."
The unit is staffed by 22 members – three supervisors and 19 front-line officers – who patrol on both foot and bike throughout the year.
Heroes is a comics and collectibles store, which sits directly opposite the foot patrol hub location on Dundas Street. Owner Brahm Wisemen is hopeful it will have a positive impact.
"It will be nice to have easily available police when needed and [have them] surveying the street,” he said.
What Wiseman is really looking for is services that will help vulnerable individuals suffering from mental health issues and addictions, and told CTV News London, "There is a mental health problem and an addiction problem and this is not necessarily the job of the police.”
“There are people dying on the street every day. We need help down here because people are sick and ill on the street,” emphasized Wisemen, “They need somewhere to go and need help."
McIntyre agreed and said, “We need the wrap-around care for our most vulnerable and we’ve seen that year, over year, over year. That how we’re treating them, how we’re wrapping around to support them isn’t working and so now the pivot.”
London Police Service's new Community Foot Patrol office located at 183 Dundas St. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
McIntyre stresses a police presence can only be part of the solution, but still an important part.
“As strategies continue to develop to deal with those issues the foot patrol will play a vital role in ensuring people get the care they need,” she said.
"If someone needs clothing. If someone needs a meal, stuff like that, a blanket if they're sleeping in an alcove. We want to be out here and be visible,” said Sgt. Michael Pottruff.
Pottruff was part of the foot patrol team as a constable 10 years ago, and has been part of the leadership group for Community Foot Patrol Unit for the last five years. He said being able to take statements and do paper work in the downtown office will mean less time spent going back and forth between headquarters located at 601 Dundas St., near Adelaide Street, in the Old East Village.
He said that will result in more time maintaining a presence in the core, "When you get on foot patrol, you're literally down here. You're walking on a sidewalk interacting with people.”
As a long-time downtown business owner, Wiseman believes strongly that the entire city benefits from a vibrant downtown.
"Support the businesses down here,” he said. “Support the restaurants and theatres and all that sort of thing and let’s come down and makes this an exciting place to be."
The new foot patrol office opens as city hall moves toward committing an additional $4 million to hire 20 additional officers for the police service.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
One dead after potential wrong way crash on Highway 401 in Milton: OPP
One person is dead and another is in life-threatening condition after a driver was travelling in the wrong direction on Highway 401 in Milton Sunday, according to police.
Trudeau 'absolutely' best person to lead the Liberals in next election: LeBlanc insists
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc insists he's not planning a leadership campaign to head the Liberal party, should current leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign, seemingly quashing rumours he's planning to make a move for his boss' job.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'The Fall Guy' gives Hollywood a muted summer kickoff with a US$28.5M opening
"The Fall Guy," the Ryan Gosling-led, action-comedy ode to stunt performers, opened below expectations with US$28.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday, providing a lukewarm start to a summer movie season that's very much to be determined for Hollywood.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
William Shatner says he would consider 'Star Trek' return: 'Here comes Captain Kirk!'
The Montreal-born actor, famed for his portrayal of Captain Kirk in "Star Trek," says he is open to reprising the iconic role in the sci-fi franchise as long as the storytelling is stellar.
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.
Hamas says latest ceasefire talks have ended. Israel vows military operation in 'very near future'
The latest round of Gaza cease-fire talks ended in Cairo after "in-depth and serious discussions,"{ the Hamas militant group said Sunday, reiterating key demands that Israel again rejected.