If City Councillor Jenny Gerbasi has her way, there will be more people wearing red parkas in downtown Winnipeg.

Gerbasi is asking the city to help fund the Downtown Watch program.

Right now 12 people clad in red parkas walk the streets downtown. They help people and act as extra eyes for police.

But there are no patrols on Sundays. On weekdays, the patrols are off the streets by 6 PM.

Gerbasi thinks the city should help to keep the patrols out on the streets until 11.

"What we're asking for is $50,000 from the city and $50,000 from the province.

"That way they can have the Watch active in the evening in the downtown, which will really help in our efforts to revitalize the downtown because safety is one of the biggest issues in the downtown for people."

Right now, the Downtown Watch is funded by area businesses.