Public safety in downtown Kenora continues to take center stage as we enter a new year.
OPP Detachment Commander Inspector Jeff Duggan says community safety involves more than just the police.
Duggan feels a meeting held last week to address safety concerns in the community is a good start.
“The officers that work for the OPP, they’re working hard every day and they’ll continue to work hard every day,” states Duggan.
“I think that just by bringing the group together, with this new mayor and council, we’ll hopefully come up with some solutions that work for everybody. Not everything can be police led. Certainly we have a part to play, but we’re not the solution.”
Duggan adds there is no place for the public to take matters into their own hands.
“Certainly when people are talking about vigilantism, and all that kind, there’s no part to play in that. That’s not the solution we’re looking for. ”
The meeting last week was held after two businesses in the downtown were entered by people who refused to leave, and in one case, allegedly assaulted the owner and vandalized the business.
One person has been charged in connection to that incident.
(With files from Tim Davidson)
