City Council has approved Pads K9 Protection and Detection Services to lead a one-year pilot project for security patrols across the city. The goal is to provide an additional level of safety overnight and to help prevent unwanted vandalism and crime.
The $100,336 cost is being recovered from the City’s portion of the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT), which is money collected by local hotels on overnight stays. For the next 12 months, private security will be conducting foot and drive-by patrols between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., seven days a week. Council had previously approved the expense as part of the 2023 City budget.
“It is not ideal to have to add security patrols to bolster community safety,” says Mayor Michelle Boileau. “Council did not arrive at this decision lightly, but we have residents and business owners who are asking for help now to feel safe. This is one idea that can be implemented immediately, without burdening our tax base. By next month, we will have a mobile security patrol on the street to identify anything out of place and report it immediately to Timmins Police Service.”
Council’s recent town hall on community safety was attended by over 1,200 residents concerned with high incidents of crime, break and enters, theft of property, and trespassing.
“We are optimistic that the added presence of private security will serve as a crime deterrent and help reduce unwanted property crime and theft,” adds Boileau. “This is a pilot project and we need to review the results to see if this will work for Timmins, but it’s an answer today when asked, “What is City Council doing now to improve safety.”