Worries about violence in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada have prompted many businesses, apartment and condominiums to hire private security guards.

 

"Right now we're hiring about 6 to 10 people a week," said Kyle Donovan, manager of Securiguard, a private security firm in Edmonton. "With some of the recent events, we're finding that high-visibility security is a must downtown and you need it to act as a preventative," Donovan said.

 

To reduce violence, last week, Mayor Stephen Mandel advocated moving the entrance of the main library to the south side of the building, opening onto a plaza facing the Westin Hotel.

 

In addition, the number of beat officers patrolling downtown streets has doubled. Police are also working more closely with Edmonton Transit and city peace officers.