RCMP upping presence on downtown Vernon streets

VERNON – Vernon residents will notice more police officers patrolling the downtown core.

Police will be stepping up their presence downtown with daily and nightly foot patrols, RCMP Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says. The response comes on the heels of an attack on a Vernon food truck vendor, and concerns about street safety in the downtown core.

The Vernon RCMP recently met with local agencies including the Downtown Vernon Association to discuss concerns, and also participated in a workshop on Nov. 17 with area business owners where information was provided on how to handle situations with the city’s street population.

Noseworthy says officers are familiar with the good neighbourhood bylaw as it relates to street nuisances and restrictions on panhandling.

“They have been directed to consider enforcement action where appropriate,” Noseworthy says in an email statement.

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