Sault Ste. Marie to try downtown ambassador program for 1 year

The northern Ontario city of Sault Ste. Marie plans to hire uniformed ambassadors to help make people feel more comfortable in its downtown core.

It's part of the downtown safety plan that was approved in principle by city council Monday night.

"Safety is, I know, council's No. 1concern," said Coun. Sandra Hollingsworth.

"Because it's our downtown. It's our welcome mat to our tourism. It's our fun area for our community. If we can just nail this down, where our whole community is feeling more comfortable coming downtown."

The Downtown Ambassador Pilot Program would run for one year at a cost of $104,652, which would coversalary, training, uniforms and cellphones.

According to the report presented to councillors, the program is based on similar ones in other communities, and would includeboth paid and volunteer positions "that help to keep the downtown safe and friendly."

"Ambassadors help the public with directions, parking, provide answers to questions and check in with local businesses," the report stated.

They would also liaison with downtown businesses, police and the Canadian Mental Health Association, andbe trained in CPR and applying Naloxone, the fentanyl rescue drug.

"We're gathering information to look at: are there certain times of the day or the week that issues maybe are more frequent and have staff available at those times," said Tom Vair, the city'sdeputy chief administrative officer, community development and enterprise services.

Sault Ste. Marie is also exploring installing surveillance cameras in the downtown core, something done in downtown Sudbury decades ago.