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 

This article has links to the complete survey, which is very interesting.

Survey says . . .

Buses and roads don’t make the grade, but waste removal and the arts get top marks according to residents

By CHERYL BROWNE, Barrie Examiner

Posted 1 day ago

The City of Barrie's report card is out, and while its grade average was boosted by gold stars in the arts and garbage/recycling categories, a less than stellar performance on the buses and roads was flagged as remedial.

After almost 14 months with the new council and mayor, a phone survey administered by Environics Research Group to more than 1,000 Barrie residents in October reveals most are happy with most services.

"I'd give them a B-plus," said June Bouchard, after shopping at Georgian Mall, Wednesday. "I think they're doing a really good job, the mayor's doing a really good job, there's lots of opportunities for kids and no problem getting health care.

"Barrie's pretty good compared to a lot of other cities."

Good grades were also received by the city's new water management and fire rescue services, as well as fire prevention and education.

However, of the more than 10,700 residents called, about 12% or 1,050 who were eligible to respond, they repeatedly told the Environics marketing firm that the city had dropped the ball in traffic, public transit and roads.

About 65% of respondents to the survey reported they had 'low satisfaction' with the general road conditions. Their comments ran the gamut from 'synchronize traffic lights better' to 'cheaper rates for public transit,' to 'improve roads, repair potholes.'

"It was a particularly helpful survey," Mayor Jeff Lehman said. "It's the traffic that's been a really big issue. It was interesting to to see the response to public transit, it really speaks to the need of our looking at improvements."

By comparing results from the last report card in 2008, the quality of the environment went up a full six points in the high approval category, while falling slightly by four points on the safe place to live question.

Combining the high and medium marks, most respondents, a full 89%, said they consider Barrie a good place to raise a family now, compared to a slightly less 86% in 2008.

Some of the respondents worried specifically about their wards, including wards 3, 4, 7, and 8, where those aged 35 and older (who are homeowners) only gave a medium grade for their local parks, trails and green spaces. Residents in Ward 10 gave a low satisfaction rating to the city's overall recreational facilities, mainly because they don't have one in that ward.

Lehman noted a marked increase in factors contributing to a low quality of life were linked to the downtown core where concern had risen by 11 points since 2008.

"That was a surprise. The downtown issue was a much bigger issue than it was three years ago," he said. "I think

that Dunlop Street has really improved this year, most of the empty stores are filled.

"And, there's even a huge development crane working there. We haven't seen a crane downtown in six years."

Lehman also noted the downtown core's camera installation report is due in January.

A Barrie resident of six years, Rick McKnight said he can't complain about the roads because he lives in the Leacock Road area and his road was recently paved.

"The only complaint I have would be about the water, because the price of my water bill has doubled since I moved here," McKnight said. "I expect taxpayers are paying for the

new water treatment plant,

but I don't even draw water

from there.

"I know the police can't be everywhere, but I wouldn't mind seeing more of them at rush hour when people are running red lights," he said with a laugh. "But I guess I'm nitpicking. Overall, I'd say at least a B-plus."

For more information or to see the the 98-page survey results, visit the city of Barrie website at www.barrie.ca.

cbrowne@thebarrieexaminer.com

twitter.com/CherylBrowne1

City considers ex-cons transfers

By CHERYL BROWNE – Barrie Examiner

Updated 1 day ago

City councillors are considering asking the Ontario government to prohibit the use of downtown Barrie as a destination for ex convicts.

Council could pass a resolution Monday night asking the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services to review its offender release practice that currently drops released inmates from Penetanguishene's Central North Correctional Centre at the downtown Barrie bus station weekly.

"My concern with the current practice is that it often leaves released offenders with little services and support," said Coun. Lynn Strachan.

Penetanguishene's correctional facility buses ex convicts to Barrie with whatever possessions they had with them when they were arrested, said Greg Flood, spokesman at the ministry.

If they had cash on them when they were arrested, that is returned to them.

Flood says they are then driven to Barrie by the correctional facility and released with a bus ticket home.

"Once they've satisfied their sentence, they're free to go," said Flood.

However, if the next bus to their home town isn't scheduled for several hours, they remain in the downtown core and that's where they can get into trouble.

"It leads to social and safety concerns downtown," said Strachan. "People are released and other people prey on those folks, influencing them often in an inappropriate manner."

After a recent meeting with the Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) Strachan said they've spoken to Barrie MPP Rod Jackson about their concerns.

"If we pass the resolution at council, that makes Rod Jackson aware of our concerns. He's been to the downtown (BIA) meetings, so this would enable him to advocate on our behalf."

Once passed, the resolution would be sent to the Ministry of Correctional Services to determine if there are other release points for the men and women who leave the North Correctional Centre, such as a GO station.

Strachan said the future site of the new bus station on Welham Road could also help alleviate some of the concerns of the downtown.

cbrowne@thebarrieexaminer.com

twitter.com/CherylBrowne1

The next meeting will be Wednesday November 9, 2011, at the Barrie Community Health Centre at the corner of Ross and Maple Streets in downtown Barrie.  See you there.



BARRIE DOWNTOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION

Crime Prevention, Safety and Long Term Planning Committee

WEDNESDAY Oct. 12, 2011

PRESENT:  Sharon, Ben, Jack, Irene, Amber, Bruce, Kelly, Kelly, Tammy, Cindy, Ali.

Meeting began@ 7:00pm

Minutes of the Sept. 14, 2011 meeting approved.

1.  BDNA congratulated the police on the sex trade sting as it worked very well.

BUSBY CENTRE has been extremely helpful to the police with their outreach workers

Police would like to restart Citizens on Patrol for the Downtown in the near future as they were extremely helpful in the past. This will be done as a Community Service.

2.  Noise from the Bars - There is co-operation with the Downtown Bars at the east end pertaining to noise.  For 2 noise violations they are fined $490.00 for the 3^rd violation the fine is $5000.00, this is done through the Alcohol & Gaming Commission.  Difficult to prove which Bar is noisier.  We may need a Municipal Noise Violation Person to go part & parcel with the Parking changes.

3.  City of Barrie will be extending the parking to 12:00pm.   This will be passed at the end of October or November, which will increase revenue for the City.

4.  Video Cameras for the Downtown- recommendation going to Barrie council soon

5.    Overnight Parking:    The gentleman living out of his car on Maple St.  pays $55.00 per month for parking.    This brought questions about the viability of overnight parking in our municipal lots.  The BDNA is concerned with the gentleman’s safety.  Is this an enforcement issue?   Should social service agencies be involved?     It was felt that a letter be sent to the City stating our concerns. 

6.       Bus Terminal – No further update in regard to released offenders transferred to Barrie Bus Terminal.  It was suggested that the City send more factual information to the Ministry and consider drafting an agreement with the CNDC that will rectify this situation. It was felt that many released offenders stay in Barrie and create a heavy burden on many of our local services. 

The solution might be to bring them down from Penetang l day before they complete their time and have them released in their home town. 

We will invite Rod Jackson to our next meeting to discuss this matter further.

7.       Rooming Houses - No updates on minimum standards bylaw for rooming houses.  Jack to get more

info.

8. New Members - BDNA want more members from other areas of Ward 2.

Kelly showed has a letter of welcome (from the BDNA) that she distributed to residents of the West Village.    There is interest in starting a Neighbourhood Watch Program there.   Angela Butler is our contact at Barrie Police Services for this.

City police by the numbers

By CHERYL BROWNE, Barrie Examiner

Updated 23 hours ago

When asked, Barrie residents responded overwhelmingly to cameras in the downtown core.

City police ran a survey last spring to determine what Barrie citizens felt should be the prime concern of the force.

"It really helps in establishing our priorities," Const. Toni Dufour said. "This survey gives us a bird's eye view of what's important to the people of Barrie. We're really pleased to have this feedback."

While only 377 people responded to the survey that was on the police force's website between March 7 to April 15, that's up from 192 respondents in 2010.

Dufour points out that not all respondents replied to every question asked. Around 300 people responded to most questions, however, so they were able to get a good feel for how most people felt about certain topics.

Overall, 60% of respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with Barrie policing, while 23.9% said they were dissatisfied and another 14.4% said they were very dissatisfied.

With respect to their neighbourhoods, only 17% said they were very concerned about crime prevention, while 29% said they were only moderately concerned. More than 20% said they weren't worried about crime prevention in their community and 16% said 'not at all' worried.

Yet, they did list break and enter crimes and traffic management or speeding or impaired driving, as their biggest concerns.

Residents said they would like to see a larger police presence in their neighbourhoods, including both cruiser and foot patrols.

The majority of respondents, almost 78.6%, said they favoured closed circuit cameras in the downtown core; 17% said no to cameras, and about 4% said they had no opinion.

Dufour said she believes that because the severity or violent crime index that came out early this year reflected an 8.6% drop in violent crime, more residents are concerned with day-to-day concerns, such as traffic, than they would have been in previous years.

cbrowne@thebarrieexaminer.com