Several local business owners and residents in downtown Hamilton say the police department’s recent expansion of its Core Patrol program has had a positive effect.

Last month, the force announced its plans to increase the amount of on-the-ground officers it assigns to the downtown beat.

The increase was officially rolled out on Sept. 16 and increased the program from four to six constables.

They’re divided into three teams and patrol an area that extends from Wellington Street to Bay Street between Cannon Street and Hunter Street.

The project was started in June of 2023, after a community survey found a majority of business owners with store-fronts in the area reported feeling “unsafe,” citing concerns of social disorder, physical disorder, crime and harassment.

Now, the Core Patrol team monitors the area on foot, by bike and has most recently deployed the use of a drone — something the department says will enhance its ability to “appropriately respond to calls for service in the area.”

“They have brought back a sense of safety and security to our staff so it’s great to see them come in,” Morgan MacKenzie, an employee at Denninger’s said.

Const. Adam Kimber says his goal is to speak with local businesses in the area, develop rapport and create a presence that deters criminal activity in the area, something some see as a daunting task.

“So much homeless, so much,” Rowaid Hanna, a barber at King Kutz said is a major part of the problem. “They need to work on it.”

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