Regina Police to walk the beat in Regina's North Central for one day

Officers are taking to the streets in Regina this afternoon, in an aim to connect with community members in the city's North Central neighbourhood.

According to the Regina Police Service, officers on foot patrol werea common sight 30 years ago. Not so much today. It says resources and different responsibilities haveled tomore patrols happening in police cars.

But today officers will be walking the beat once more.

Uniformed members will start their patrol atthe Albert Scott Community Centre at 4 p.m. CST, and then spend the evening interacting with local business people and residents.

RPS spokesperson Elizabeth Popowich said the police's community perception survey played a part in getting the community day up and running.

"People want to see more police officers out and engaged in the community," Popowich said.

The patrols are something Shawna Oochoo, co-founder of White Pony Lodge, can get behind.

Her organization started its own foot patrols of the neighbourhood earlier this year in response to a string of violent incidents.

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"We were kind of an example, you know, that the community really wanted to see some sort of... change and was accepting of that change," Oochoo said.

"Just to have the police come out and... support what we're doing and by doing the same activity, I think it's just wonderful."

Oochoo said initially people in the community didn't know what the lodge's patrols were all about, but now they're becoming a regular part of the neighbourhood.

"It's been really awesome just building relationships, building rapport, just with everybody," she said.

Popowich said right now there are only plans for one Community Cop Day due to resource constraints, but if it goes well she said there is potential for more.

• Recent violent crimes 'heartbreaking' says North Central Regina resident