Council approves task force terms of reference
By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on December 15, 2023.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com City council on Tuesday approved the terms of reference for the new Downtown Lawlessness Task Force.The committee will include five members of the Downtown BRZ, two city members of council, one member from Lethbridge Police Service and six City administration representatives.
Those representatives come from Community Social Development, Regulatory Services, Opportunity Lethbridge, Communications and administration.
Mayor Blaine Hyggen and Acting Mayor John Middleton-Hope will represent council on the task force.
It will operate through 2024 with a review planned before the end of next December. The City says that when required task force recommendations will go through the Safety and Social Standing Policy Committee before adoption by council.
In a statement, Hyggen said “many people, including the Downtown BRZ, have formally expressed deep concerns and impacts regarding ongoing lawlessness. Public safety for our residents will always be Council’s No. 1 priority and one of the core purposes of a municipality is to develop and maintain a safe and viable community. The purpose of this Task Force is to tackle the issues head on.”
Middleton-Hope noted “this task force now has a clear direction to identify the symptoms and depth of lawless behaviours and the impacts to our city. We will collaboratively strategize on responses and resourcing requirements, then work with stakeholders to take action on solutions.” Follow @albeebHerald on Twitter 4
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