Local businesses speak on effectiveness of Hamilton police’s new Core Patrol initiative

Hamilton businesses say Hamilton police’s new Core Patrol initiative, aiming to stop illegal open drug use in public spaces, is working.

CHCH News continues its examination of the new program initiative, which was put together primarily over concerns from local businesses.

“Compared to years, like last year, or two years ago, it’s much better,” said Sabin Whang, the owner of One For All Coffee.

Whang says that he’s noticed a difference in criminal activity on King Street East, ever since the Core Patrol Team was launched by Hamilton police.

“We’ve been seeing a lot more police officers patrolling the area,” said Whang. “Also, we see less numbers of vandalism or theft here.”

Whang says his storefront has been vandalized in years past, and highlighted concerns with people gathering across the street.

“They’ve been making a lot of noise and threatening people walking on the street,” said Whang.

Earlier this week, CHCH News joined Core Patrol on their daily duties, responding to a trespassing call.

WATCH MORE: CHCH News examines typical day for new Hamilton police Core Patrol initiative

“We got a couple calls today from businesses in the area, that they have customers coming in saying they feel unsafe, and they’re being harassed by people in the area,” Const. Marco Aref with Hamilton Police Services. “This is actually a Hamilton City park and you’re not allowed to smoke or trespass or loiter in the area.”

The Denninger’s grocery store down the street said they’ve seen positive results, after seeing open drug use, theft and trespassing on a daily basis.

“They’re very responsive to help with situations such as trespassing,” said Morgan MacKenzie, a Human Resources manager with Denninger’s. “They respond frequently and they’ve helped decline the number of incidents that we manage in store.”

The Core Patrol walks the downtown area in three teams of two between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“Although we’re the unit that deals with open drug use, wanted parties – stuff like that – we are a business that caters to the businesses so our time is for them,” said Aref.

So far, police say they’ve had early success in their first 100 days with 287 arrests for possession, and 14 people charged with trafficking drugs.

Businesses in downtown Hamilton said that one of their main concerns is safety when it comes to their customers.

“We don’t want people to be scared of [the] downtown,” said Jamie Ewing, the chef and co-owner of the Electric Diner. “If we can get that changed with continued police effort, and just make a generally safe area, that would be great.”

The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce says the initiative is important to help businesses thrive downtown, especially with the new arena opening up.

“We’re going to have people coming into our downtown core who have never come into our downtown core, and if they come in and they feel safe, they’re going to come back for another show,” said Greg Dunnett, the president and CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. “And if they don’t then we’re putting ourselves at risk that they don’t come back.”

Overall, the businesses that spoke with CHCH News hope to see the program expand beyond six officers.

“We’re hoping to see more safety control in this area, so that way it will encourage people who want to open up a business here,” said Whang.

“I know right now, they have two on shift and seeing more police presence, the better,” said MacKenzie.

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