Airdrie residents spending a night on the town will soon notice an increased police presence.
City council endorsed Airdrie RCMP’s Safe Airdrie Nights initiative, which will see a pair of officers patrolling licensed establishments between about 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. from Thursdays to Saturdays.
Front-line officers will take the overtime shifts. The RCMP expects the full cost of the Safe Airdrie Nights program to be covered through fines levied by the officers.
“(From Thursday to Saturday nights) there is lots of activity, officers are really busy,” said Mayor Peter Brown. “(The program) just adds a bit of safety.
“Making sure that when people have a few too many drinks, that we have a good strong compliment of officers out there to deal with any issues that may arise.”
According to Airdrie RCMP Sergeant Dennis Esayenko, in 2012, officers responded to 534 bylaw infraction complaints, most of which were related to noise and disturbances outside of liquor establishments and house parties. Esayenko said there has been a gradual increase in the number of reported disturbances. In 2011, there were 384 complaints, 570 in 2011, and 609 in 2012. Of the 2012 numbers, 250 complaints took place at one of nine bars in Airdrie.
Esayenko said the enhanced officers, who may not be from the local detachment, will complement the existing front-line personnel already assigned to work their regular shift.
Fines will be given out by the officers to those in contravention of the noise portion of a number of City bylaws including the community standards, taxi, public behaviour and smoking.
Officers will also enforce alcohol and gaming regulations.
“They would be responding to calls of service, they would concentrate on high areas of disturbances and traffic enforcement,” said Esayenko.
Alderman Allan Hunter said he is in favour of the program, and would be even if the fines weren’t covering the costs of the enhanced service.
“I like the program,” he said. “If the fines aren’t there, who cares? We’re getting the bad guys and putting more boots on the ground.”
Alderman Glenda Alexander said the program will help enhance residents’ feeling of security.
“I’m very much in favour of this and that it will pay for itself,” she said.
