The Lethbridge Police Service Downtown Policing Unit has been bolstered by the work of four new members. The unit is now comprised of six Constables and a Sergeant.
The new officers started walking the beat at the start of the year and provide a first response to any incidents downtown.
The LPS says members target criminal activity as well as other social issues.
“The addition of the new DPU positions will not only increase police presence and visibility downtown but enhance the team’s capacity to conduct more proactive enforcement of open drug use and other issues,” says LPS Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh.
Last year, targeted LPS enforcement projects in the downtown area led to over 300 arrests for open drug use, close to 450 arrest warrants executed, over 200 criminal charges and 2,000 doses of methamphetamine and fentanyl being seized.
READ MORE: More than 300 people arrested during LPS downtown enforcement project in 2024
Officials say the DPU will continue to work with LPS partner units for similar initiatives throughout 2025. The LPS says members will “target high frequency offenders and downtown locations with higher volumes of crime”.
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Additional DPU projects will zone in on combating open drug use and when the weather conditions allow, enforcement will include rolling bike patrols.
READ MORE: Chief Mehdizadeh looking forward to continuing positive successes for LPS in 2025
