05/01/2026
MGBHLM SECURITY WILL PROVIDE A PERSON-CENTERED, CULTURAL APPROACH TO SUPPORT DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS, VISITORS, AND BUSINESSES
WITH FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE CITY OF NORTH BATTLEFORD, THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID) HAS SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH A FIRST NATIONS SECURITY COMPANY TO ASSIST WITH AN ENHANCED PRESENCE IN THE CITY’S DOWNTOWN CORE.
MGBHLM SECURITY, FROM MOSQUITO GRIZZLY BEAR’S HEAD LEAN MAN FIRST NATION, WILL PROVIDE CULTURALLY-SENSITIVE AND LOW-LEVEL SECURITY SERVICES TO DOWNTOWN NORTH BATTLEFORD. PUBLIC SPACES WILL BE PATROLLED BY MGBHLM SECURITY OFFICERS ON FOOT OR WITHIN BRANDED VEHICLES AT VARYING HOURS EACH DAY.
BID BOARD MEMBER GREG LIGHTFOOT STATED THAT THE 2026 PILOT PROJECT AIMS TO SUPPORT ALL WHO VISIT THE COMMUNITY’S DOWNTOWN BY TRYING AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH.
“WHILE CERTAIN ISSUES WILL STILL REQUIRE THE ASSISTANCE OF BATTLEFORDS RCMP OFFICERS OR COMMUNITY SAFETY OFFICERS, THE NORTH BATTLEFORD DOWNTOWN BID IS PLEASED TO COLLABORATE WITH MGBHLM SECURITY TO IMPLEMENT AN ENHANCED WELLBEING STRATEGY. THIS INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS INCREASING SOCIAL CHALLENGES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, REDIRECT THEM AWAY FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERVENTION,” COMMENTED LIGHTFOOT.
THE NORTH BATTLEFORD DOWNTOWN BID EXPECTS MGBHLM SECURITY WILL BEGIN PROVIDING SERVICES LATER THIS MONTH. THE CONTRACT IS SET TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2026 AND THE PILOT PROJECT WILL RECEIVE AN EVALUATION FOR ITS IMPACT. SUBJECT TO A FAVOURABLE REVIEW, THE DOWNTOWN BID WILL SUBMIT AN OFFICIAL REQUEST TO INCORPORATE ONGOING FUNDING FOR THIS INITIATIVE INTO THE 2027 CITY OF NORTH BATTLEFORD BUDGET FOR APPROVAL BY CITY COUNCIL.
