A local musician who lives and works in the downtown welcomes changes made to address concerns raised by performers and patrons alike about an increase in thefts and acts of violence in the George Street area.

A number of local musicians have been raising the matter in recent years, indicating that many no longer felt safe leaving gigs in the wee hours.

A private security company is now doing patrols in addition to an increased RNC presence, not to mention improved lighting.

Colleen Power says she’s fairly certain she can take care of herself, but a greater concern for her is having her instruments stolen.

“I’m not afraid of some person coming after me” she adds jokingly, “I’ve got a fair amount of self-defence and innate bay-girl fighting abilities” but “I’m more worried about having something stolen because it’s so hard to replace instruments.”

That said, while Power has experienced some frightening situations when people have rushed the stage, she says a balance needs to be struck to ensure the downtown appears welcoming and not intimidating.

She cites a few instances when she’s seen “3 or 4” security guards “in the stage area when there’s like little kids going around and it’s six o’clock in the evening, maybe a bit unnecessary.”