Crime Prevention, Safety and Long Term Planning Committee Meeting

Minutes – January 11, 2012

Present:  Ben, Bruce, Jack, Bryan, Jayne, Sharon, Greer, Kelly, Janet, Tammy.

1.     The first items on the agenda were discussions, comments , updates & follow-ups on issues which we have been working on:

• There are no definite plans for Lauerntian University to move to Barrie. The provincial government will be the ones deciding who will be coming here.  Ben is on the committee and will keep us posted.
• Jack will extend an invitation to Caroline Smith, who is a trustee for the School Board, to attend one of our meetings so as to inform us of the current discussions being held regarding the future of Barrie Central Collegiate.
• Video cameras will be installed in downtown Barrie; it is just a question of when.  The City is looking for a grant of $250,000.00 through the Civil Remedies Act, which deals with monies generated from proceeds of assets seized from criminal activity.
• Ben will follow up with Lynn about the drop off of released offenders at the downtown bus terminal, which she & Rod Jackson are working on together.  Apparently they are still being dropped off there.  We are hoping for an update at our meeting in February.
• The inspection of boarding, lodging & rooming houses is being done with the help of Chris Alexander who is checking properties for fire & property code violations.  Jack will find out if hoarding falls under fire standards regulations.
• The man who is living in his car on Maple Avenue is still there today.  The Busby Center is in contact with him.
• Ben will get an update as to what the status is in removing the telephone kiosks from Maple & Dunlop Streets.  There are concerns from store owners that they are being used for drug deals.

2.     Writing a letter to the ACGO regarding liquor licences for small businesses was discussed. Bryan will look into obtaining a copy of the new LCBO Legislation from the AGCO.

3.     In other business, Janet brought up the fact that not all of the issues we are working on are of interest to everyone.

• A very comprehensive discussion ensued about how to increase involvement & how to encourage other groups to come to our meetings so that we could help to support their various projects.  We feel that in extending this invitation to other groups, we as a larger group would have more impact on local decisions & garner more support for local issues.  Ben has been trying to approach these groups to join us for our monthly meetings, but so far he has not been receiving positive feedback.
• It was noted that citizens are interested in a variety of different topics, such as improving gardens, biking & walking trails, green space, etc. in the area where they live.  The fact that Mulligans Pond is drying up is and also a concern.  We would like to thank Janet for bringing this to our attention.
• It was suggested that hosting an “Open House” event in order to announce our successes in some of the issues which we have been involved with thus far would be a good idea.   Kelly knows someone with social marketing experience and will see if they are available to come to the next meeting.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

The next meeting date is scheduled for Wed. Feb. 08 at 7 p.m