MINUTES OF THE CRIME PREVENTION & SAFETY MEETING

Held Wednesday, April 21, 2010.

                PRESENT: Kelly, Rose, Ron, Don, Jack, Cindy, Karen, Mike, Kelly, Elaine, Stephen, Chaired by Ben Strudwick.

1. Minutes of Wed., March 10 – approved.  (I assume this is simply an announcement since these are done and published prior to this meeting.)

2. Business arising:

Updates/Discussion Items-

-Jack reported on the “use of video cameras” project.  Apparently the undertaking is supported by the BIA and our illustrious ward leader, Jeff Lehman, has requested an initial report from the city planning department.  Jack has indicated that he will follow up with Jeff and the city every 2 to 3 weeks.

Re the sale of drug paraphernalia in downtown stores.  Kelly had prepared a letter which would go to store owners who might be displaying “questionable” material.  The letter has been submitted to the BIA for review, and has been approved by the BDNA membership for use.  Further action and feedback will be reported next meeting.

Super jail offenders released in Barrie – Kelly had continued contact with the super-jail staff, but has , thus far been unable to get very many straight answers from them.  It was determined that the Barrie Police do receive daily faxes from the S-jail listing who is on the bus and what their destination should be.  The police seem either unwilling or unable to share or derive statistics from this information.  It was reported that Peterborough has been able to deal with their problem (which is similar to ours), and it was suggested that we contact them to see what corrective measures they undertook.

Bars on Dunlop Street were discussed.  The upshot of the round table was that the BIA is working to attract businesses other than bars or licenced establishments to the area, but a more vital downtown is needed to lure them there.  Licensed  premises are more easily established, in spite of there need to appear to sell food.  It seems a 5 item menu is what is required, and readily implemented.  There seems to be little we can do as an association except stand bravely by and provide encouragement to the BIA and city council in their plans to re-vitalize the downtown.

Increasing the size of the signs at the 5 points intersection – Sharon was to report on this item and since she was “trapped” in Italy, this item is tabled until the next meeting.

3. Neighbourhood Watch Update – was tabled due to Heather’s absence from the meeting.

4. The CPTED/Bylaw Community Information Meeting is scheduled for Tues., May 25 at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers at city hall.  This is a joint meeting sponsored by our 2 committees (Crime Prevention & Safety and Long Term Planning & Property Standards.  We will be inviting the Barrie Eastenders association and the Allandale Neighbourhood Association to participate.  We need member input to determine the types of questions you would like answered by the city’s by-law standards representative.

5. The BDNA Steering Committee update was table because there were no decisions made at the last meeting.  A second meeting is being scheduled.

6. No other business arose at this meeting.

      7.   We will meet again on   Wed., May 12/10. at 7:00 P.M.

                                              Barrie Community Health Centre  

      8.   Meeting closed at 8:30