Planning

Downtown Safety Ambassador Program:

In recent years Downtown Riverside has experienced the development of new residences, businesses and entertainment, and this growth is expected to continue into the foreseeable future. To ensure that the Downtown remains a safe and enjoyable place to visit, work and live, the City is considering the creation of a Downtown Safety Ambassador Program. In collaboration with the Riverside Downtown Partnership (RDP), a non-profit business association, the City expects to hire an experienced security firm to act as an active deterrent to criminal and disruptive activities and assist the public where needed.

Funding for this program has not been established. However, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was released on June 2, 2016 to obtain a clear understanding of the cost of the program; and to allow the City to partner with an experienced firm to create a scalable budget-minded safety program.

Safety Ambassadors will be expected to patrol the Downtown area on foot, and bicycle, with an emphasis on deterring unwanted behavior and intervening when appropriate for a non-sworn security personnel. Under the direction of the City and RDP staff, the Safety Ambassadors will be expected to coordinate closely with the Riverside Police Department and the City’s Homeless Outreach Team.

The City and RDP hope to obtain funding and implement the new program by Summer, 2017.