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McFee said he wants to encourage Edmontonians to report any crimes they see in their community. He also wants the police service to look into partnering with private businesses to incorporate the use of more video and tech into their investigations.

“If we actually, you know, target harden some of our citizens and get them on board as our extra eyes and ears we have a lot better chance of success,” said McFee. “So things like that, that we haven’t done, are absolutely there for us to go get.”

McFee didn’t say what neighbourhoods police would be targeting in the new year but he did say the department has begun to work with downtown business owners.

Ian O’Donnell, executive director of the Downtown Business Association, said he’s encouraged to hear police are looking to combat crime proactively and he too has been encouraging business owners in the city’s core to continue to report any crimes they see or are victimized.

“Anytime that you can be proactive it is very beneficial to crime in general and working to disrupt that individual or, you know if it’s more organized, that organization,” said O’Donnell. “We want to make sure that our places of business are safe regardless of whether it’s a liquor store or any other business.”

O’Donnell also said he’s also looking at working with police to bring art into trouble areas to help brighten up the community in the new year.

dshort@postmedia.com

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