Uniformed security personnel are now patrolling certain streets in downtown St. John’s in an attempt to keep trouble at bay.
The Downtown Safety Coalition has spent the past few months working with government and law enforcement on ways to enhance safety in the area, specifically on George Street.
A private firm called Independent Security Services was hired as part of a phased pilot project last summer.
Coalition spokesperson Don-E Coady told VOCM’s The Tim Powers Show that both phase one and two of the trial run proved to be a success.
A report following the first phase showed major improvements to safety on George Street, which led to an expansion to nearby Water Street and Duckworth Street in phase two of the pilot.
Coady says reports indicate the initiative is working, prompting a third phase to be carried out this summer.