Barrie police boost downtown presence, making significant impact in first month
The Barrie Police Service launched an enhanced downtown presence focused on the streets, waterfront, trails, beaches and parks, and the enforcement boost resulted in drug seizures and more than two dozen arrests in one month.
The initiative kicked off on June 16, and according to the police service, the Downtown Engagement Team responded to 508 events between then and July 15. Of these, police say 451 were proactively detected by the team, while 57 resulted from calls for service. The team made 31 arrests, seized drugs 15 times, and confiscated alcohol 17 times. Two criminal charges were laid.
Police Chief Rich Johnston emphasized that the team's goal is not solely to enforce laws, but to support those in need.
'Most of the occurrences this team is involved with are the result of factors related to social disorder, and the constables and special constables who are present in the downtown are working with our community to help facilitate access to support services,' he said.
City Guardians BPS
Police Chief Rich Johnston and Deputy Chief Rob Burke joined the City Guardian team in downtown Barrie, Ont. on July 7, 2025.
A key component of the initiative is the newly introduced City Guardian Program. The service says special constables make regular rounds at downtown buildings, including City Hall, the Barrie Public Library Downtown Branch, Meridian Place, and the Bus Terminal. During the first month, they logged 445 occurrences, spending an average of nine minutes at each location.
'Not only were they visiting and spending time at each of the locations on their route, but they engaged with everyone they met along the way – sometimes with a quick hello, other times stopping to do a well-being check,' the chief added.
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