HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-03 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 3, 2011 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:03 p.m.
Present: Ms. D. Ahluwalia, Chair
Councillor S. Davey, Councillor F. Etherington, Councillor D. Glenn-Graham and
Messrs. K. Euler, B. Larkin and P. Doherty.
Staff: S. Weare, Strategic Initiatives Associate
L. Korabo, Committee Administrator
J. Metzger, Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (CPC)
J. Cloutier, MSW Placement Student, CPC
CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL OVERVIEW
1.
Ms. J. Metzger, Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (CPC), advised the CPC was
formed in 1995 and is a community-based crime prevention organization whose 25-member
board is comprised of representatives from agencies, Regional Police and other community
organizations. The CPC has a stated vision to ensure ‘a safe and crime-free community in
which to work, live and grow’.
She commented the CPC is dedicated to engaging the community in the task of reducing and
preventing crime, victimization and fear of crime. It supports community efforts that address
known risk factors associated with crime through research, local action, policy, advocacy and
communication. The Council also focuses on education and has championed several
successful campaigns such as ‘Say Hi’ and ‘Look Deeper’.
The CPC has recently completed its 2010-2014 Community Plan called ‘SMART on Crime in
Waterloo Region’. Ms. Metzger distributed a brochure which provides highlights of a Plan
which focuses on what works best to prevent / reduce crime, victimization and fear of crime.
The Plan is based on input from 700+ residents, partner organizations and community leaders.
SMART is an acronym for sustainable momentum, actions and results today.
‘SMART on Crime’ will address root causes of crime using evidence-based research, invest in
prevention methods and build capacity, work to create sustainable change and develop
beneficial partnerships. Four priority directions have been set: research & inquiry; education
& learning; strategic leadership; and, organizational design. As the Plan was launched in
2010, some milestones and indicators are already available online.
Concern was raised of the possibility of this Committee duplicating efforts of the CPC.
Superintendant B. Larkin advised that the CPC has been attending all Safe & Healthy
Community Advisory Committee meetings since 2009 to provide an ongoing link between the
two groups thereby ensuring that rather than duplication, there is complimentary activity. He
expressed the opinion that having the CPC at the table has been a good for both groups. Mr.
M. Garner echoed these comments advising that the CPC works to bring people /
organizations together and continues its involvement through facilitation as required.
WATERLOO REGIONAL POLICE - POLICING MODEL
2.
Superintendant B. Larkin advised that Waterloo Regional Police has recently reconfigured its
organizational structure with a goal of improved neighbourhood policing. He noted that
historically staffing had been a challenge for the force which utilized a regional deployment
model to serve vastly differing communities within the Region, all having unique needs. The
new organizational structure was created to provide a more balanced and equitable response
to calls for service on a 24 / 7 basis.
Superintendant Larkin distributed a series of maps showing the new neighbourhood policing
areas. Under the new model, the Region has been divided into four divisions: rural, south,
central and north. The Rural divisions are staffed by officers located in New Hamburg and
Elmira while the South division serves residents in North Dumfries Township, the City of
Cambridge and 1/3 of the City of Kitchener and has its divisional building located on Hespeler
Road. The North division, comprised of 6 zones covers the City of Waterloo and 1/3 of the
City of Kitchener and has its divisional building currently located on Erb Street. The Central
division is comprised of 6 zones in the City of Kitchener and is also the central lockup for the
SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 3, 2011 - 6 - CITY OF KITCHENER
WATERLOO REGIONAL POLICE - POLICING MODEL (CONT’D)
2.
force. Its divisional building is located on Frederick Street. Police headquarters is located on
Sportsworld Drive.
The model runs with 5 shifts for each of the three urban areas but utilizes flexible deployment
to ensure that police presence is placed where required. The number of officers on duty is
variable dependent on the time of day and a minimum response time of 6 minutes for an
emergency call is the target benchmark.
WHAT IS A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA?
3.
Mr. M. Garner played a YouTube video which provided a history of business improvement
th
areas (BIA) which celebrated their 40 Anniversary in 2010.
He advised that the municipality administers a self-imposed tax levy to business owners which
is given to the BIA organization for the purpose of executing events, beautification, marketing
and promotion within the members’ boundaries. Our area has three BIAs being: Downtown,
Uptown and Belmont. The Sportsworld Drive area has made inquiries about starting an
additional area. The Downtown BIA was formed in 1977 and now has expanded boundaries to
those originally designated. It operated with a budget of $605,000. in 2010 and is managed by
a Board consisting of members nominated for a 4-year term running concurrently with Council.
Board terms are staggered to allow for retention of experience. The BIA has 4 staff: Executive
Director, Retail Attraction Specialist, Events & Communication Specialist and a Members
Coordinator. The Executive Director reports to the Executive Committee of the Board, who
then reports to the full Board. The BIA Board is a volunteer board comprised of the
membership and is accountable to City Council.
The goal of the BIA is to make Downtown Kitchener a destination by sponsoring festivals and
events complimentary to the work done by the City. Mr. Garner noted a need to increase
programming within the BIA boundaries and to continue improving the streetscape with
planters, etc. There is a continual focus on new retail attraction that will then generate high
traffic volume both pedestrian and vehicular.
The BIA helps small businesses and takes an active role to help make Kitchener a healthy
community and is always on the lookout for partnership opportunities to strengthen its work.
DOWNTOWN VITALITY
4.
Mr. M. Garner advised of a pending grant announcement by the Provincial government for
additional festivals and events in Kitchener.
DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT
5.
There was no report from the Downtown Advisory Committee.
WORKPLAN DEVELOPMENT
6.
Ms. S. Weare circulated a draft template of a 2011-2012 Work Plan, developed with ideas
formulated at the previous Committee meeting. Initiatives were linked to Strategic Priorities as
contained in the Corporation’s Strategic Plan. She requested feedback from members on
additions / deletions or changes that may be required.
The following suggestions were put forward as additions / changes to the Work Plan:
Address the matter of a crack house located on David Street. It is located close to
seniors centre;
Clarify who is responsible for a ‘Clean Streets’ program. Encourage business owners to
be responsible for the sidewalk in front of their business. Councillor D. Glenn-Graham
would like to lead this initiative;
Schedule Youth Engagement Project update at next meeting. Substantial funds
provided to this project by the Committee;
Schedule an overview presentation of CPTED;
SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 3, 2011 - 7 - CITY OF KITCHENER
WORKPLAN DEVELOPMENT (CONT’D)
6.
Address issue of bus shelter vandalism?;
Look into using schools (after hours) for youth drop-in centres;
Ms. J. Metzger commented on the initiative to review municipal models of crime prevention
noting that this parallels the work being done by the CPC. She suggested the CPC could work
on establishing linkages between this Committee and others, if desired.
Ms. S. Weare advised that she would take today’s comments and integrate them into the
template and bring it back at the Committee’s next meeting. Members were asked to give
thought to which initiatives they would like to lead or partner in.
ADJOURNMENT
7.
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
L. Korabo
Committee Administrator