Downtown foot patrols begin this weekend in Cape

Cape Girardeau police will have extra patrols downtown this weekend.

Cape Girardeau Police and the downtown Cape Girardeau Community Improvement District have agreed on a contract for foot and bicycle patrols between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, according to a news release from Cape Girardeau police. Officers will be paid overtime, and the agreement will not detract from regular staffing for the city. The city's cost for added services will be reimbursed by the CID, according to the news release. CID leaders previously stated the budget for the program was $27,000.

"The overall goal of this patrol is to limit criminal activity and maximize safety" in the downtown area, the news release stated.