More police, cameras recommended for downtown Halifax

The plan to curb violence in Halifax's downtown includes more police officers and video cameras, but the issue of bar hours is still undecided.

Mayor Peter Kelly, Justice Minister Murray Scott and representatives from a dozen organizations met Thursday to discuss a number of options.

Scott said he told the police chief he could expect funding for 20 new police officers next April.

"I would say right off the bat I could put at least 16 for sure right downtown," said police Chief Frank Beazley.

Kellysaid everyone agreed that video surveillance on the city streets would help prevent crime and help track down suspects, and they would try to pay for more cameras.

The mayorcalled for the meeting in the wake of a fatal stabbing early Saturday. Damon Crooks, an American sailor, was killedoutside Rain on Argyle Street, a busy strip packed with bars and restaurants.

The issue of whether bars should shut down earlier is still undecided.

Many bar owners say limiting drinking hours won't stop the assaults and the robberies.

"The stuff that happened last Saturday didn't happen in bars, it happened on the street," said Kevin Keefe, operator of the Granite Brewery, whowas not allowed into the meeting.

Closing earlier only means trouble will happen at 2:30 a.m. instead of 3:30 a.m., Keefe said.

But the police chiefsays he believes bars are open too late.

"Forty-six per cent of the crime that we're talking about happens after 2 a.m., so that speaks for itself," Beazley said.

Bar owners say people are doing a lot of their drinking at home, coming downtown already intoxicated and causing trouble on the streets.

The issue won't be resolved right away.

The minister of labour, Mark Parent, said a review of all of the regulations under the Liquor Control Act is underway, and bar hours are part of it.

Crooks's death renewed the debate about safety and security in Halifax's downtown.

Police stepped up their patrols in the area last spring after a number of swarmings and assaults.