Residents who live near Guelph's downtown may see an increased police presence after city councillors were told there's been a rise in break-ins and vandalism.
Police heard from the public during a community meeting Thursday evening.
"I think [the police] understand themselves more about the sense of urgency and the lack of safety that people are feeling in their homes," Coun. James Gordon said. "And it might be an incentive to really sort of boost things up a little bit in that area."
Gordon said Guelph police are looking at stepping up patrols in some neighbourhoods, including having more officers on bicycles.
He said the officers at the meeting hinted at an upcoming announcement about new policing initiatives that may benefit the downtown Guelph area.
"I think people went home with a sense that there were some things being done," he said.
Guelph police spokesperson Const. Chris Probst was not able to tell CBC News whether there have been an increase in reports of crime near the downtown area in recent weeks.
'That's not a solution'
One of the concerns people brought forward was the concentration of social services in the downtown area, such as shelters and the rapid access addiction clinic.
Some residents said they thought those services may be drawing the people who are behind the crimes to the area.
However, Gordon said he's "always cautioning my own constituents about nimbyism" – nimby standing for "not in my backyard."
"Those places are giving us a valuable service, and if you don't like them in your neighbourhood, you want to send them to another neighbourhood? That's not a solution," he said.
However, people present at the meeting were open to having a civil conversation about those services, he said. They understood the big picture need, but wanted more work done in the moment to help them feel safer in their homes.
Gordon said police officers urged residents to report all instances of crime, even if they may seem small, so police can have the data in order to better monitor certain neighbourhoods. There's an online reporting system people can use so they don't have to dial 911.