The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Continued from pg. 1 'It would be our hope that if this bylaw was put into place, there would be grounds for fines or charges to be laid,' she wrote, 'which would hopefully discourage this type of behaviour in front of our bank.' Schmidt said the RCMP have been 'extremely helpful' in responding to calls of 'inappropriate behaviour' outside the bank. But 'there does not appear to be any long-term solution and (the loiterers) are usually repeating the same behaviour within a day of being told to move on,' she added. Council had no comment on the letter, referring it to the Committee of the Whole _ made up of the entire council _ for further discussion. It's just the latest concern council has fielded in recent months about improper or intimidating behaviour on Main Street. Mayor George Fontaine has called on the RCMP to conduct more foot patrols of Main Street, but there were concerns those patrols were not happening often enough. At Tuesday's meeting, however, the mayor said the RCMP have adopted what they call a 'Main Street Strategy.' Rather than foot patrols at regular times each day, he said, patrols take place at targetted times. The patrols involve not only the Main Street area, but also the area around the 100 Stairs, where behavioural concerns have also been reported. Mayor Fontaine said nine foot patrols took place in January. There would have been more, he said, but the temperature was so cold that they were not warranted. He said he is satisfied with the RCMP's response to Main Street concerns, adding the police will report to the city on how the Main Street Strategy is proceeding.
