Public safety continues to be a top issue for the city of Thompson and other municipalities throughout the province.

A recent report to the Mayor and Council by Councilor Oswald Sawh in his role as Council Liaison on Public Safety called for the expansion of the Community Safety Officer program.

Yesterday, on City Beat, Deputy Mayor Louie Fitzpatrick commented.

“Four more CSOs will cost us about $300,000 a year. Revenue generated from our mill rate increase this year is ear marked for public safety initiatives. It’s certainly possible that we could find the money to fund more CSOs.”

When the CSO program was first launched in 2014 as a pilot program, the provincial government provided funding for 8 CSOs.

Once the pilot program ended, funding was reduced, as well.

Currently two CSOs work from 1 pm to 11 pm daily, switching out with the two other CSOs so they work one week on and one week off.