"We have essentially doubled up our foot patrol resources in the downtown area. The district stations recently reopened but with reduced service hours, which has enabled police to redeploy some officers to the foot patrol, Smyth said. Before the increase, the foot patrol was staffed with one day shift and one evening shift, and only during weekdays. A report on downtown safety, commissioned by the provincial government last fall and released in December, suggested more foot patrols — among other recommendations — to improve safety in the downtown. The report called for better co-ordination of Downtown Business Improvement Zone foot patrols, with no mention of police.

Source: CBC News March 10, 2020 09:56 UTC