File photo (Image credit: CKPG Today).

By Aaron Schulze

Downtown Patrols

City staff proposing temporary increased patrols to tackle increasing fire complaints in downtown Prince George

May 4, 2024 | 2:30 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Overnight patrols may be increasing in downtown Prince George.

In a report to Prince George Council on Monday (May 6), Eric Depenau – the city’s acting director of administrative services – writes the increase in burning complaints and fires in the downtown core have become a significant issue.

“Due to the nature of these fires, it has been deemed challenging by Prince George Fire Rescue to categorize these fires in a manner that gives authority under the Fire Bylaw or the BC Fire Services Act to address these concerns as one individual agency,” Depeneau writes. “Therefore, joint responses are being considered to curb the number of incidents.”

The proposed increase in overnight patrols would see one City of Prince George bylaw officer, one RCMP officer and one firefighter between 10:00 p.m. and 3:00 to 4:00 a.m., three times per week for four to six weeks. The increase would add 12 to 18 patrols. Depeneau writes that each work unit is prepared to absorb the overtime costs within their budgets.

“As example, within Fire Rescue, the 12 to 18 patrols proposed are expected to cost between $20,000 and $27,500,” Depeneau writes.

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The goals of the proposed temporary increase in patrols are to gather data, educate offenders and to come up with a strategy to stop offenders who are not deterred by the presence of the patrols or education.

Council will vote on the proposal during their regular meeting Monday at 6:00 p.m.