Sarnia residents will notice an increased police presence in the city's downtown area once again this summer.
The Sarnia Police Service (SPS) is bringing back its Downtown Village Constable program after seeing success with the pilot project in 2025.
Police said it's designed to enhance public safety and increase police visibility in the area through collaboration with local businesses and community partners.
Cst. Rory Pickle has been selected as this year’s Downtown Village Constable and he'll patrol areas including Front Street, Christina Street, and the Mitton Village neighbourhood.
Members of the SPS Patrol Division will conduct regular sweeps of the core to make sure residents and business owners can begin their day in a safe, welcoming environment.
When officers see people loitering, they'll conduct well-being checks, provide referrals to appropriate social services, and address concerns as needed.
Police said the coordinated approach, alongside community partners, helps maintain a safe and vibrant downtown.
Cst. Pickle was born in Sarnia, raised in Corunna, and is a graduate of S.C.I.T.S. high school. He previously served as a federal corrections officer before joining the Sarnia Police Service in 2024.
In a news release, SPS Deputy Chief Michael Van Sickle said they're committed to maintaining a safe and secure community for everyone.
“We value our strong partnerships with our downtown business community and are pleased to continue expanding initiatives like the Village Constable program," said Van Sickle. "This initiative provides a unique opportunity for one of our young officers to engage meaningfully with community members and businesses, while reinforcing our commitment to innovative policing and delivering a high standard of service. We are proud to create opportunities for our members to grow, while strengthening trust and accessibility in our downtown core.”
Mia Clarke from the Downtown Business Collective is pleased the program is returning.
“We've received nothing but overwhelmingly positive feedback from members, and ongoing requests for the program to return this summer. We know that a lot of the owners downtown felt a ton of relief, having a designated contact that they could communicate with when needed. We're really looking forward to having that trusted communication line again and are looking forward to welcoming Rory downtown this summer!”
SPS is also expanding its Downtown Patrol Project.
This year introduces Protecting Public Spaces (#PPS), an initiative that extends proactive policing efforts beyond the downtown core into parks, shopping areas, and other public spaces across the city.
SPS is increasing its bike patrol capacity by training additional officers and acquiring more bicycles, allowing for improved access to areas not easily reached by vehicles.
They're also enhancing the drone program by training more operators and using this technology more effectively to monitor public spaces and identify concerns proactively.
