The chair of the Downtown Lexington Management District Board says more funds are being set aside to enhance security. Jim Frazier reviewed several facets of the Management District budget earlier this week at the City Council work session. Frazier said the security issues tend to be more serious after midnight.
“So 12 to 4 are the people coming out of the bars. And they’ve had too much to drink and fights break out and Sheriff Witt herself did an arrest for me last Saturday night at the Garage at 2:00 a.m,” said Frazier.
Frazier said more police officers and Downtown Lexington Management District ambassadors can act as a deterrent to misbehavior.
These ambassadors can be identified by their purple shirts. Businesses in the district area pay more in property taxes to support exterior enhancements. Frazier told Council the downtown area is cleaner and safer than it’s ever been.
Frazier noted the 20 purple-shirted staff members can also play a role in responding to health crises.
“All the ambassadors are going to undergo Narcan training. So, they’re all going to be carrying their own ability. Because we witness this on the street sometimes before the police do. Overdoses, we had one the other day over by Triangle,” said Frazier.
Frazier said the great percentage of the Downtown Lexington Management District’s budget goes toward labor costs for ambassadors.
