MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Morgantown police are increasing their downtown presence following complaints from business owners about vagrancy.

Lt. Harold Sperringer says 15-year veteran officer Steve Bennett has volunteered for a new foot patrol and started walking his beat Tuesday.

His shift runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and he will talk with local business owners and residents to answer questions and address concerns they may have about the homeless and others who congregate downtown.

Bennett previously served on the city's bike patrol. He'll answer to the Special Services Unit, which also handles special events coverage for the city.

Sperringer says the new post reinforces the existing patrols in the downtown and Wharf District areas.