Police adding downtown patrols

Hamilton police are hiring seven new officers with money from the province’s share of federal policing cash and five of them are going downtown.

The city is receiving $490,000 over the next five years to fund the officers, who will be on the streets by the end of the year, said Hamilton police Chief Brian Mullan at an announcement at police headquarters this morning.

Mullan, flanked by area MPPs Sophia Aggelonitis and Ted McMeekin, Mayor Fred Eisenberger and police board chair Councillor Bernie Morelli, said five officers will be deployed downtown in foot and bike patrol units.

“They are going to help Mr. Balsillie downtown to help make it a safer place,” he said, in a wry reference to RIM billionaire Jim Balsillie’s attempt to relocate the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton.