Clarification regarding investment in downtown security in North Battleford

The City of North Battleford recently entered into an agreement with the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) to provide funding in amount of $106,000 for security services in the city’s downtown core.

This investment was part of the 2026 City of North Battleford budget, approved by City Council in late 2025. 

Due to staffing vacancies, surplus funds were available in the City’s RCMP Municipal Policing Contract. As a result, the $106,000 was reallocated from that budget to provide a one-year pilot to enhance security presence in the downtown public space. This project, aligning with Council’s Strategic Plan (Innovative Solutions in Policing), is intended to provide a more person-centred, sensitive approach focused on de-escalation rather than strict enforcement.        

If statute enforcement is required, those actions remain the responsibility of the RCMP or Community Safety Officers.

As this downtown security pilot project uses reallocated funds, there is no increased cost for City taxpayers. 

The program will be reviewed when the agreement ends and may be included in the Administration’s 2027 Budget requests for continued funding, if evaluated successfully. Any budget requests brought forward for City Council’s consideration are discussed publicly during the City’s annual series of budget deliberation meetings. 

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For more information:

Candace Toma, Public & Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator
306-441-0713 | publicrelations@cityofnb.ca