The City of Winkler is excited about the impact of its first Community Safety Officer.

CSO Kenton Hoeppner has been assisting police with stolen bikes, traffic control at fires and accidents, as well as connecting with social service providers.

"I'm very pleased with what I'm seeing," Winkler Mayor Martin Harder says.

Moving forward, Harder says the position will continue to be a connecting point with the community, working clients of the Central Station and the Winkler Food Cupboard.

"It creates an opportunity for them to connect with him if they have some concerns, rather than it becoming a police issue," Harder says. "And I think we're seeing evidence of that already."

He notes, helping people before social or behavioural issues get out of control also saves the community resources, and keeps people out of the court system.

"It saves a bundle, not only for our community but for the Province."

The CSO position was created to help the Winkler Police Service with crime prevention strategies and initiatives. However, Hoeppner will have a variety of responsibilities, including connecting people in need with available social service providers.

Hoeppner was first hired in July 2017 as a by-law enforcement officer, before graduating from his CSO training last October.