Lethbridge Police Service celebrates growing downtown policing unit

The LPS is making strides with its downtown enforcement team, focused on combating drug use and social disorder. Karsen Marczuk reports.

The Lethbridge Police Service’s downtown policing unit (DPU) has more than doubled in size.

The DPU added four new Constables to its existing roster of two Constables and one Sergeant at the beginning of the year.

The unit is working to reduce crime and social disorder downtown while simultaneously strengthening the police services’ relationships with business owners.

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“I joined the [DPU] because it was an opportunity for me to engage with my community,” said Const. Dayton Pagliericci.

In 2024, targeted enforcement projects contributed to police arresting more than 300 people for open drug use, while nearly 450 arrest warrants were executed, and 2,000 doses of methamphetamine and fentanyl were seized in the downtown core.

Sgt. Ryan Darroch, a DPU member, says those initiatives will continue in 2025.

“I’m proud and happy to have positive impact in our downtown core,” he said.

The Downtown Lethbridge BRZ says the added police presence is being noticed by local businesses impacted by property crimes and break and enters.

“We are seeing and feeling a palpable difference in the amount of interactions with undesirable behaviour that we we’re experiencing,” said Sarah Amies, executive director of the Downtown Lethbridge BRZ. “The new resources have been absolutely amazing.”

While the downtown is patrolled by officers daily, the DPU is focused on proactive enforcement and reducing negative behaviour.

“I want people to be able to walk around and not have to look over their shoulder or feel upset about looking at something they shouldn’t have to see,” Pagliericci said.

“It’s a reality in our world that we’re in right now – with the drug use and everything going on – but if I can make those steps to make it a little bit safer for them and for business owners to work in peace, that’s what my goal is.”