Crime Prevention and Safety Committee

Minutes - Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Present:  Jack, Nick, Kelly, Ben, Ken, Stephen, Chris, Brandon, Jack, Heather,

               Judy, Craig, Rose, Kelly, Karen, Mike, Elaine, Sharon  

Guest:  Inspector Stacy Guymer, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

1. Minutes – July 14/10 meeting were approved.

2.   Video Cameras Downtown - Jack

       Jeff Lehman held a meeting at City Hall.   Jack, Stephen, Bryan, Ben & Irene

       attended from the BDNA.  Janet Kemp and Craig Stevens from the BIA and

       D Hossack from Barrie Police Services also attended.  All agreed in principal.

       The next step is the preparation of a proposal by staff to go to the Police Board

       and/or the City Council. Everyone to locate information on current systems in

       operation elsewhere in the Province including who monitors, and installs, how

       much and who pays cost and any other details.  Next meeting is in September

       but with the elections in Oct. and the swearing of the new Council in December

       this item may be delayed.  It was suggested that the cameras be piloted on

      Dunlop Street downtown first.   

2. Drug Paraphernalia in Barrie Stores – Kelly    

Kelly has distributed the letters to local stores and is taking petitions with

her to meetings.  CBC radio contacted her for an interview on the issue.

Sharon is to send copies of the letter and petition to the Allandale and East End   Neighbourhood Associations.

3. Email and Telephone Number of Committee members.   

      Everyone agreed - emails and phone #’s can be given to other Com. members.

4. Super Jail Offender Released in Barrie – Jack/Kelly

Jack will speak to Roy Randell about the effect on the Salvation Army Services.   He will invite Roy to talk about this at an upcoming meeting.

Kelly Weedon has heard from Steven Small, Asst. Deputy Minister, Adult Institutional Services and Organizational Effectiveness Div. in Toronto and stated that “a response is being formulated at this time.  You will receive it in the near future”.  Kelly also contacted Eileen Carroll MPP, Patrick Brown, M.P., Bill Johnston (Deputy Sup. Of Program Central North Correctional Centre.   No responses.

5.        Noise from Downtown Bars

           Inspector Stacy Guymer, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)

      attended our meeting.  She is frequently in Barrie, visiting bars, speaking with

      owners and educating staff on what to look for.  She emphasized that all

      “concerns/infractions” have to be documented and suggested that individuals 

      keep a journal - what happened, the date, time, the establishment etc.

      and send it to her.  See link below with process for reporting.  She suggested we 

     make an appointment and talk with managers and/owners to see if we can work

     something out.   Or we could send a letter – stating who we are, were we stand,

     let’s work together.

     “At The Five” a hearing was held and a condition was written into their licence.

      Stacey look after the outside patios, Barrie bylaw officers/police look after inside

      of the establishment.   

      Stephen has received info from Kitchener City Hall describing their approach.

      It will be discussed at a future meeting.

       Link to “A Guide for Residents Objecting To A Liquor Licence Application”

       (or add to existing licence) 

           http://www.agco.on.ca/en/contact/objections.aspx

           (this is the AGCO website and there is more about the Commission)

      Mike mentioned that with too many bars downtown, it is like a “ghost town” 

      during the day and does not attract shoppers to the area.   

      The Committee can find out about new licence requests in the following ways.  

      Establishments much post a placard and advertise in local paper to inform the

      public about their application.   Also checking the Circulation List on the City of

      Barrie Website for new licence applications which is posted on Thursdays.     

6. Sexual Assault Downtown – Heather

Heather said her neighbour was sexually assaulted downtown a couple of weeks ago.  It happened on a Saturday night near Casa Mia on Toronto St.   She has been in touch with Sgt. Angela Butler to organize a self defense course.   Some

           downtown lanes and alleys are not well lit.

7. Walk About in September – Stephen

Stephen suggests we have two different times – one during the day and one at night (around 11 p.m.).  No dates have been set.  More details at our next meeting. 

8. Community Clean-Up – Rose

Rose and Jeff are spearheading a clean-up of the vacant lot at the five points, next Thursday at 1 o’clock.    Anyone interested can join them. 

9. “Night Out in the Cold” – Oct. 1, 2010.

      Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness.   Contact Kelly Bell for more info.

      Email:  Kbell@simcoecommunityservices.ca

10. Meeting adjourned at 8:30,

      Next Mtg.  Wed. Sept. 8.10 at 7 at the Barrie Community Health Centre