There is a combined effort in Sudbury to improve safety downtown, as well as the perception about that part of the city. The news comes days after a letter from the owners of the Elm Place Mall was leaked, raising concerns about persistent safety issues in the area, citing a recent assault of one of their employees. Sudbury police Insp. Barry Ornella said police are focused on improving the situation on the ground. “It is still very much a vibrant part of our town and we recognize that, yes, there are very visible social issues. But the police remain committed to doing our part to try and keep our downtown safe,” Ornella said. In the wake of the letter from the mall, a number of groups in the area said they are committed to a coordinated strategy to improve safety and well-being downtown. “Particularly, it is important that downtown is not only safe but feels safe for residents, employees and businesses,” said a statement from the downtown BIA. More foot patrols, less crime Sudbury police said since January, there has been a 106 per cent increase in foot and bike patrols in the downtown compared to the same time in 2025. “We try and stay responsive day-to-day and week-to-week where the community lets us know where issues are arising and then we try and deter any social disorder crime or drug activity that’s taking place,” Ornella said. Year-to-date, police said overall calls for service downtown have decreased four per cent. Social disorder calls have dropped 20 per cent, while calls about open drug use decreased 39 per cent. There was also a drop in calls about homelessness and violent crime. However, there was a 44 per cent increase in property crime calls, particularly shoplifting incidents. The BIA said the rise in retail crime extends beyond downtown, with businesses across the region facing similar problems. Ornella said groups in the area are working together to improve the situation. “It’s a shared goal of really trying to improve the state of our downtown but also improving the outcomes for those individuals that are experiencing challenges when it comes to homelessness, addictions and mental health,” he said.
