Violence in Edmonton Prompts Scramble for Security Guards

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.