The City of St. Catharines is asking the Niagara Regional Police Board for a permanent foot patrol presence in the downtown.
During yesterday's meeting, Mayor Walter Sendzik noted the downtown has become a hub for addictions and mental health services, which comes with a unique set of challenges.
"As they say, perception is reality. I work and live in the downtown area and I believe it to be a safe downtown, but there is a perception that there is a growing unease when people are coming into our downtown and we want to get ahead of that rather than be reactive to that."
Sendzik says the city wants to work as a partner with the police to work toward a safer downtown which may include better utilizing technology like cameras.
The request was referred to the police service to consider during the upcoming the budget process.