The owner of a business in downtown Sarnia is welcoming the increased patrols by city police.
The service recently launched a new initiative, supported by the cadet and auxiliary programs, that expanded foot and bike patrols.
Silhouette's Boutique owner Lori Mitchell is thrilled to have a regular police presence return.
"It took me back 40 to 50 years, when they used to walk the beat when I was a hairdresser in the building that I'm in now, when I worked for my mother," said Mitchell. "[Back then] it was a common thing to see. Rain, or shine, snow, whatever...police were patrolling downtown."
Mitchell said she's really noticed a difference around her shop at the corner of Christina and Cromwell Streets.
"I don't see as many of the homeless, or drug induced people, hanging around in front of stores. That seems to be gone," said Mitchell.
For a few years, Mitchell said she dealt with broken windows and other damage regularly, but since officers started patrolling the streets again she said it's been the difference between day and night.
"They're not even dropping their stuff there anymore. They just keep moving and I think they kind of stay away from downtown, whereas they were everywhere before."
Mitchell said she and her staff have met as many as eight officers now.
"I'm just so happy that they're here and they're welcome in my store at any time," she said.
Sarnia Police Chief Derek Davis told Sarnia News Today previously they want to make things better for citizens and business people during peak shopping hours.
Between June 1 to July 11, city police responded to 600 calls for service, ranging from trespassing calls to mischief and unwanted persons in the downtown core alone.
with files from Stephanie Chaves