Crime Prevention, Safety and Long Term Planning Meeting

Minutes – May 11, 2011

Present:  Ethel, Steven, Sharon, Amber, Jack, Ben, Cindy, Susan, Justin,

                           Meaghan, Mike, Bryan, Jayne

          Guests:   Kathy Brislin, Senior Policy Planner, City of Barrie

                           Rod Jackson, Progressive Conservative Candidate for Barrie

1.    Minutes of April 13, 2011 passed.

2.    Kathy Brislin gave an informative power point presentation, based on a report being prepared for City Council, regarding minimum distance separation of bars and taverns.  At the end of the presentation she asked questions, and was surprised at the information and comments put forth. She subsequently suggested that we have another meeting at a future date for a follow up on what the problems are, and what the best measures for handling these might be.

3.    Rod Jackson gave a perspective on some local issues, some of which included:

• We are a growing city with increasing crime and with major problems in our downtown area.
• Barrie is being used as a convenient, free drop off zone for released prisoners from the super jail.
• Moving the bus terminal from the downtown area would be a reasonable solution.
• We need to make sure that Barrie Central Collegiate remains open for the health of our downtown and for the City of Barrie.
• Concerns about health care, zoning restrictions, and subsidy programs for energy were also discussed.
• Mr. Jackson expressed that all levels of government need to work together and that active citizens make a community tick.

The official platform of the Conservative Party was not as yet prepared, and Mr. Jackson assured us that he would let us know when it was.

 

 

 

• Sharon stressed that the Downtown Neighbourhood Association and the Crime Prevention Committees do not support one party over another.  We are trying to invite all candidates to openly discuss issues that have come up at our meetings. 

 

4.    It was agreed that Sharon would extend an invitation to another local candidate, Andrew Miller to speak at our next meeting.

 

5.    New Business:

 

• Cindy noted that we need to have more media coverage so that people could be more actively involved in the community.
• A letter to Councillor Lynn Strachan will be drawn up asking her to participate in more of our meetings.
• Roger Brooks will be back June 8.11 from 6-9pm, for a further installation of his program “branding” downtown Barrie.
• Mike stated that the report regarding parking in the downtown area will not be completed until the fall.

 

6.    Next Meeting Date:

 

• Wed. June 15.11 at 7p.m., @ the Barrie Community Health Centre

  

 

Meeting adjourned at 9p.m

Crime Prevention, Safety and Long Term Planning Committee Mtg.

Minutes – April 13, 2011

 

Present:  Bryan, Ben, Megan, Jack, Cindy, Sharon, Mike, Justin

Guest:  Lynn Strachan, Ward 2 Councillor

 

1. Minutes of March 16, 2011 passed.  Copies were available.

 

2. Response to Letter to Mayor Lehman and Lynn –

i. Released offenders transferred from CHCC to Barrie Bus Terminal -

                 There was no agreement with the province but City is willing to work

                 with the Province to see what can be done.    BDNA needs to write a letter

                 asking City Council to look into this and state the desired outcome.

                 We may want to have Rod Jackson or Stella Gant (candidates for MPP)

                 come to speak at an upcoming meeting.   The Committee could send a letter to

                  the Crown Attorney requesting 0 tolerance for crimes. 

           ii. Cameras in the Downtown -   Police survey closes April 15^th.  A public

                 meeting is being planned next.

          iii. Minimum Separation Distance for tattoo parlors, pawn shop etc. –

               100 feet separation distance and passed by Council at their

                meeting on Monday night..

          

          The Council has some positive activities starting in the  downtown - including

           the Roger Brooks initiative  and various residential projects.

 

3. BIA Proposal for Sidewalk Patios for Downtown  (April 15 to Oct. 15)

Lynn described the project which includes outdoor patios in front of

businesses downtown.  The patios require a full dining menu, no smoking, closing by ll p.m. and no amplified music.   There was a concern expressed about

the enforcement of the 11p.m. closing.  Lynn will take this concern back to

Council.  Many members thought this was a good proposal. 

 

4. Elizabeth Fry Society – Megan  

Offers stable housing for women for 40 – 45 days.  It is a 27 bed shelter that is

Staffed 24/7.  The GAP (Grocery Assistance Program) provided food for 15,000 families over the past year. They offer counseling and court support services and various program including anger management, substance abuse, healthy relationships.  

 

5. Next meeting date – Wed. May 11, 7 p.m. at the BCHC

               Rod Jackson will be invited to come.  

Crime Prevention and Safety Meeting

  Wednesday, April 13  -    7 p.m.

Agenda

 

 

Chair:  Sharon

Secretary:

 

 

 

1.      Minutes of March 16.11 passed. 

 

2.       Response to Questions -  Lynn

 

3.      BIA Proposal for  Sidewalk Patios for Downtown -  (April 15 to Oct. 15)

 

              4.      Elizabeth Fry  Society -  Megan               

 

 

Updates

 

1.      CNCC transporting released offenders to Barrie Bus Terminal  

 

2.      Downtown Bars – Noise and Closing time – Mike

 

4.      Barrie Central Closing - Cindy                          

 

5.      Video Cameras in Downtown Barrie -  Jack

 

6.      Bylaw Minimum separation distances for tattoo parlors, pawn shops etc.

                        Revised bylaw – Bars, Rooming Houses

 

7.      Other Business…..

 

 

8.      Next Meeting Date:  Wed. May 11 ,  7 p.m.  

                                         Barrie Community Health Centre  

 

     

 

 

 

The Crime /Long Term Planning Committees will be meeting Wednesday, April 13, 20111 at the Barrie Community Health Centre located at the corner of Ross and Maple street in downtown Barrie at 7:00 P.M.

CRIME PREVENTION, SAFETY  and  LONG TERM PLANNING COMMITTEE  MEETING

WEDNESDAY MARCH 16, 2011

 

PRESENT:  Sharon, Irene, Ben, Justin, Megan, Jack, Jane, Amber, Brian, Jayne, Don

 

1. Minutes of Feb. 9, 2011 passed.

 

2. Ben is sending a letter to Mayor Lehman and Lynn, Ward 2 Councillor (City of Barrie) as a result of discussion and report on “Released Offenders Transfer from C.N.C.C. to Barrie Bus Terminal

He posed three questions:

  

a.       Is it possible to stop release offenders from C.N.C.C. from being transferred to Barrie or do we have to accept them?  Was there any agreement with Barrie to accept them?

b.      What attempt has been made to measure the economic impact of this?  Should the City seek restitution from the Ministry?

c.       If an individual is paroled to their home city and does not return there and the home city does not come for them (crime to petty), why is not the parole transferred to Barrie?    Or why is not the parolee returned to CNCC to complete their sentence?

 

Amber to send e-mail to inform Aileen Carroll of how to resolve the problem of the inmates being released without belongings.

 

        

3.     Hospitality Meeting – Cameras for downtown Barrie need open discussion to move forward.

         Request an update on the issue.  Request to be included in the letter. 

 

4.     B.D.N.A. survey to be put on blog.  Mike is working with the City on Parking.

 

5.     Downtown Bars- committee concerned about noise by-law, this will also be included in the letter 

         to the City.

 

6.     Barrie Central – Next ARC meeting is March 22, 2011

               April 14, 2011 this board meeting is to include the public input.

               May 31, 2011  final decision to be made.

 

7.    Video Cameras Downtown – question included in recent police survey to get public input.

 

8.    Letter asks  Lynn to come to our meeting on April 13^th or Committee can change to a date that

       will work best for her busy schedule.

 

9.     New Business –

a.  Change of boundaries of BDNA to be the same as Ward 2 - All were in agreement.

 

b.  Police Survey -  on police website, www.police.barrie.on.ca – everyone encouraged to

     complete. 

 

c.  BDNA Business Cards – Brian and Jayne designed and brought everyone samples.

    Great for promoting the BDNA.

 

10.  Meaghan will go a presentation on the Elizabeth Fry Society at our next meeting.

 

11.  Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

        Next meeting April 13, 2011 at 7 p.m. at the Community Health Centr

Crime Prevention and Safety Meeting

  Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Agenda

 

Chair:  Sharon

Secretary: Irene

 

1.      Minutes – Feb. 9.11 Passed

 

2.   Released Offenders Transfer From the Central North Detention Centre to the City

Of Barrie Bus Terminal   - Letter to the City of Barrie                                 10 min.

 

      3.  Offenders transferred to the Barrie Courthouse without personal belongings –

                          any news from Aileen Carroll.                                                         5 min.

 

4. Hospitality Meeting  -  Feb. 16, 2011-  comments                                         5 min.  

 

5.  BDNA survey – distribution  ??                                                  10 min.   

 

    

Updates/Comments (if any)

 

4. Downtown Bars (noise & closing time) / tattoo parlors, pawn shops etc

                . bylaw office working on minimum separation distance bylaw for

              boarding houses, bars, tattoo parlours, cheque cashing facilities etc.

             (Feb. 27 townhall mtg., ward 2 )

           . increased consideration for an unpaid review board with reps from concerned

             groups to review liquor licences applications relating to noise and times.

            (Feb. 27 townhall mtg)                                                                           15 min.     

 

5. Barrie Central Closing - Cindy                                                                        10 min.

                          

6. Video Cameras in Downtown Barrie -  Jack

                  . police chef still gathering info on video cameras, may hold open meeting in

                    6 to 8  weeks  (Feb. 27 townhall meeting)                                           10 min.                                    

 

7. New Business…..                                                                                      10 min.

 

8. Next Meeting Date:  Wed.  April 13 ,  7 p.m.  

                                         Barrie Community Health Centre  

 

     

 

 

 

Crime Prevention, Safety and Long Term Planning Committee

Minutes – February 9, 2011

Present:  Sharon, Ben, Jack, Rob, Jeremy, Amber, Lorne, Cindy, Mike, Jayne, Bryan, Lorne, Larry.

Guests:  Michelle, Cindy, Kelly, from The John Howard Society.

1.        The  John Howard Society:

•   A very informative presentation about the services that The John Howard Society of Simcoe and Muskoka provides, and how they assist with the planning needs of inmates who are soon to be released (i.e. housing, Social Insurance, Social Assistance, etc.).  They help provide releases with information, education and direct them to other available services in the community which they may require.  While prisoners are incarcerated, Michelle pointed out that, those who are soon to be released are given little or no preparation to return to the outside world.  There is nothing in the form of counselling, re-integration assistance, or longer term housing available for men who come to Barrie.  There is however, some limited help available for women through the Elizabeth Fry Society.  The City of Barrie does not have a halfway house to help those released.

 

• The John Howard Society is under funded and under staffed to the degree that they can only help a relatively few of these individuals.  It was stated that the BDNA support and encourage their efforts.       

         

2.      Comments & Feedback on the Released Offenders Transfer from the CNCC to the City Of Barrie Bus Terminal:

Dispersing the releases more evenly throughout the City Of Barrie, instead of dropping them all off at the downtown bus station might be a better way to deal with this issue.  Moving the bus terminal away from the downtown area and to the Barrie Racetrack would help solve some of this problem.  The pros and cons of having a half way house was discussed as well as where it should be located.  Anyone can express their opinions on this or any other issue on the BDNA Blog.

 

3.        Minutes of Jan.25.11 -Not reported.

 

4.      BDNA Steering Committee Report - Not reported.

 

5.        Updates

i.  Downtown Bars – Noise and Closing time:

• Mike had a meeting with the Mayor and Lynn Strachan, and she has put forth a motion to council to increase cab lanes on Dunlop Street, as was a recommendation last fall.
• The possibility and cost of having all bars required to have paid police duty is being looked into.
• Planning department is looking at separation distances for bars.
• It is nearly impossible to convict on noise meter evidence in court.  Cindy will draw up a letter and follow this up with Lynn.
• Rob commented that it is discouraging that even though the establishments close their doors at 11 p.m the noise still comes through.  He also suggested for this committee to be effective, we have to know where to be effective and what is going to change things.
• Jeremy stated that the economics may have changed in downtown Barrie, but noise and disruption are the same as usual.
• The noise by-law issue was addressed last summer by this committee as an ongoing concern, which resulted in more law enforcement downtown, and it was found that by the end of the summer, the bars had become more compliant.  Bars closed their doors and turned the music down at 11 p.m which is a step in the right direction.
• There is zero tolerance for public drunkenness, according to police.
• The Liquor Inspector and the police try to visit every bar on Friday and Saturday nights looking for infractions, such as overcrowding, serving minors & drunken disorderly conduct.  It is inconvenient for management to get tickets for these infractions.
• Mike pointed out that bars focusing on late night business (i.e. opening their doors at 10 P.M) does nothing to enhance daytime traffic.
• After the bars close and people spill out into the streets, some vandalism occurs which affect the downtown businesses, such as the breaking of store front windows.
• Rob quoted Mr. Roger Brooks when he said that the problem in the downtown is not that there are too many bars, but rather that there is not enough of the other stuff.  We need to build larger buildings, such as banks, to generate more revenue and to have more people employed downtown.

The BIA Hospitality Com. meets in February.  Members of this Committee are invited to attend.    Rob to send date and time.

 

ii.                 Barrie Central Closing – deferred to March mtg.

 

iii.                Video Camera’s Downtown – deferred to March mtg.

 

iv.                Minimum Separation Distance  for tattoos parlours… – deferred to March mtg.  

 

6.   Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m

 

       Next Meeting Date:  Wed. March 16 at 7 p.m

                                      Barrie Community Health Center  

 

 

Steering Committee Meeting

Minutes – Wednesday, February 9, 2011

      Present:  Ben, Sharon, Cindy, Mike, Bryan, Jayne.

1.   Review and re-vamp of CNCC process in light of Aileen Carroll’s attendance at the last meeting:

Ms. Carroll suggested that a halfway house might be a solution to the problem of releases being dropped off here.  Our stand is that we do not want halfway houses in the downtown core as they would not be palatable or visually acceptable.  They should be placed out of the downtown area.  De-centralization of the bus terminal drop off, out of the downtown area, to the suggested site of the former Barrie Racetrack, would help this situation.  It would be preferred to decentralize the downtown social services to other areas of the City to effect less congestion.

Discussions were had as to what recommendations to include or not to include in the report on the Released Offender Transfer process.

Point # 1:

 If the downtown bus terminal were to be moved, there would be less of a problem and downtown drop offs would not exist. Correctional buses would have to move their drop off point. Ontario buses would depart from the racetrack. A letter to the City Council should address our concerns. A presentation at a Council meeting is also being discussed.

Point # 2:

 Encourage but not really influence The John Howard Society.  We support what they do, but we cannot be active contributors.  We recognize the good work they do and would write a letter of support.  Guidelines and municipal by laws should be in place that control the formation of the halfway house, and one of them should be to include putting a vocational educational site nearby.

 Point # 3:

Incorporated in # 1, would be part of the same letter.

Point # 4:

 Part of the initial letter, Point 5 is related to point 4.The John Howard Society is being encouraged to help alleviate the problems downtown.

Point # 7:

 The question we ask here is why parole is not transferable to Barrie.  Aileen Carroll is addressing the court house with this problem. This issue remains unresolved.

 Excerpts of “The Report on The Released Offender Transfer Process” will be posted on the website, with a disclaimer.

Update on the Arc process:

At the Arc meeting held on January 25^th, 2011, our Mayor made it clear to the committee that closing Barrie Central Collegiate was not supported by the City of Barrie, and he demonstrated that alternatives in the form of partnership were available.

BDNA Survey:

A BDNA Survey was presented to the committee for their input & several questions were revised.  Ben indicated that he would try to get this out to our members.  It was also suggested that this go out to the entire city population in various forms of mailings.

Other:

It was discussed that the BDNA should prioritize their efforts in issues that we are involved with, & we should concentrate on those issues that we have the most influence & effect on.

No date was determined for the next meeting.

Crime Prevention, Safety and Long Term Planning Committee

Minutes – January 25.11

 

Present:  Kelly, Judy, Jack, Jeremey, Justin,  Cindy, Kelly, Michelle, Cindy G.,

   Ben, Janet, Larry, Dan, Gether, Connor, Irene, Karen, Sharon, Rob,

 

Guest:  Aileen Carroll, MPP Barrie  and her assistant

 

1.  Released Offenders Transfer From the Central North Detention Centre to the

     City of  Barrie Bus Terminal – Kelly

 

    This was a information meeting and an opportunity for us to discuss ways to move

    forward on this.

 

    Kelly talked briefly about the information she received through the

    Freedom of Information Act and the report that summarized this information.  

    Aileen felt  we should be looking at the root causes of the problems downtown.    More

    concrete information is required to make the case that released offenders who stay in

    Barrie contribute to these problems.       

       

    Some were concerned about offenders transported to the Court House for 

    a hearing.  They are transported here  without  their personal belongings (credit cards,

    money, I.D’s etc.), then released with no means to get back to Penetang to get these

    items.   Often they have to use the services of local agencies,  already taxed with local

    requests to assist them.    Aileen will be looking into this. 

 

    Rehabilitation  Programs, Half Way Houses, vocational training programs are needed.

    

    Three representatives from the John Howard Society attended the meeting.  They

    will be attending  our meeting on Feb. 9th to talk about their organization and the work

    they do.    Additional funding (Trillium, federal funds)  is needed for expansion of

    services.  Aileen will be in touch with them to discuss rehabilitation programs at the

    CNDC.      

 

    The BDNA Steering Committee will be meeting  before the 9^th to  debrief  and discuss

    the recommendation from the report.

   

 

2.  Updates -   All agreed that due to the time, updates would be discussed at the meeting

    On the 9^th.

 

3.  Next meeting date:  Wed. Feb. 9^th at 7 p.m. at the Health Centre.

    

 

     

  

Crime Prevention, Safety and Long Term Planning Committee

Barrie Downtown Neighbourhood Association

Thursday December 9, 2010

 

Present:  Sharon Cindy, Brian, Jayne, Amber, Mike, Karen, Nick, Rosie, Don, Jeremy, 

        Irene

Guest:  Susan Ley, School Trustee Ward 1, 2, 3

 

1. Minutes of Wed. Nov. 10.10 were approved.

 

2. Barrie Central High School Closing –

      Susan Ley provided the Committee with an overview of the ARC process and some

      of the realities of fixing up Central High School. The ARC Committee must look at

      the facilities condition, declining enrolment and the funding available to bring Central

      up to standard. The cost of replacing the 60 year old heating system would be 

      approximately $25,000.00.  Fisher Auditorium, which is not up to code, would have

      to considered as not part of Central.    One option is to build a new school on the

      same property.  There is the potential to partner with others to build a multi service

      facility.

 

      The Board and Trustees must look at changing numbers across the County.  Changing  

      school boundaries are hard to do.   Midland has approximately 18 empty classrooms

      and there are more in Penetang.  A high school is needed in the south end due to the

      expected growth in that area.  

 

     Arc meets with the School Board in March to present options.  There are three school    

     trustees in Barrie, one native trustee and 8 in the rest of Simcoe County.   Any

     decision must be made in the best interest of the students both at Central and across

     the County.

 

     Committee can help by sending letters and phoning Trustees (across the County),

     lobbying the Ministry of Education – (letters, emails), Aileen Carroll, Letters to the

     Editor of local papers.  The public can attend the ARC meetings – the next one being

     Jan. 25, 2011 at 7 p.m.

 

3. Parking Services and Rates in the Downtown - 

Mike is a member of a Committee wanting public input into a new parking policy for the downtown.  They are working with a consulting firm over the next 12 to 18 months to check peak parking times, fees and other related issues.   The Committee will make recommendations to City Council.

 

4. Updates..

 Downtown Bars, Released Offenders Transfer From the CNCC to the bus terminal  

 in Barrie, Drug Paraphernalia, Video Cameras, and the Bylaw for minimum 

 separation distances – no updates, awaiting the new City Council to be in place.

 

5. Next Meeting Date – Tuesday, January 25 at 7 p.m. at the Barrie Community Health Centre.  Special Guest – Aileen Carroll