Extra police, peace officers to be in transit system for start of school

LRT file photo. (Galen McDougall/CTV News Edmonton)

More peace officers, police and Edmonton Transit Service workers will be present during peak hours at high-traffic transit hubs and LRT stations for the next two weeks.

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The extra staff are meant to help with the back-to-school transition, an initiative the city calls “Here to Help.”

Edmonton Police Service says it sees a “significant decrease in crime and disorder” when uniformed officers are in the transit system.

Additionally, peace officers are supposed to educate riders about transit bylaws. They will do this by checking for paid fares and enforcing rules, the city said in a news release.

The initiative will run until Sept. 19.