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“People don’t just get banned for the sake of banning,” said Holtz. “That’s not what we want. But at the same time, we are open for business. We want people to come to Alberta Avenue and we want them to shop and dine on Alberta Avenue. It’s safe … contrary to what some people say out there.”

The effort comes after more than a decade of using arts, festivals and community connections to rebuild confidence in the shopping area and surrounding neighbourhoods. That’s already brought new investment and filled in many of the formerly-boarded up shop windows. The business district runs along 118 Avenue from 79 Street to 105 Street.

Restrictions promote respect of the stores and their employees, said Christy Morin, executive director of Arts on the Ave, which also runs The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse.

“It’s a little bit of a reminder that we don’t tolerate wrongful behaviour,” she said. “It’s the respect piece that I think is needed and may be lost in the past with people thinking they deserve to walk into a private business and do what they want.”

All of the businesses have a list of community resources if residents come in looking for assistance or a washroom to use, Morin said. They aren’t leaving people without support.

EPS spokeswoman Landis Reichle said another role of the officers is to aid in crime prevention education, which is presented to business owners quarterly at events like Coffee with a Cop.

“The intent is to create a mall-like environment where people share information and conduct business in line with an agreed set of rules,” Reichle said in an email.