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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe City - 1999-11-02SAF ECITY~1999-11-02 NOVEMBER 2, 1999 SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe City Committee met this date commencing at 4:25 p.m. under Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison, Co-Chair with the following members present: Ms. Trudy Beaulne, Ms. R. Westbrook, Mr. F. Bishop and Mr. D. Schnarr. Ms. N. Brawley and Mr. S. Bassanese entered the meeting after its commencement. Others present: Ms. L. Korabo, Ms. J. Dean and Messrs. B. Stanley, R. Wyatt and L. Neil. Ms. J. Grespan c/o CKCO TV was also in attendance. 1. INTRODUCTION OF NEW WATERLOO REGIONAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVE = = = Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison extended Inspector B. Doherty's regrets, as he was unable to attend today's meeting due to a work commitment. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison asked for additions/deletions to the November 2, 1999 agenda. J. Dean added discussion of a report on graffiti and T. Beaulne requested that discussion be held on the topics of the National Child Benefit Regional Allocation and the Festival of Neighbourhoods. On motion by D. Schnarr- It was resolved: "That the agenda for the November 2, 1999 meeting, as amended, be approved." APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion by F. Bishop- It was resolved: "That the minutes of October 4, 1999, as mailed to the members, be approved." SAFE CITY CO-ORDINATOR'S REPORT- October 1999 The report contained updates on the following areas: - Community Awareness Councils - Doon Community Awareness Council - 'Harnessing What Works' Conference - Forest Heights Community Awareness Council - Problems in Park - Safer Communities Action Team - 'Partners Against Crime' Fund - 'Safe and Sound' Application - Mt. Hope/Breithaupt Park - Lighting Working Group- Pilot Project Evaluation - Safety Audit Working Group - Mt. Hope/Breithaupt Park Safety Survey & COPS Program - Graffiti - City-Wide Youth Issues Sub-committee - Grants/Awards Committee & Little Black Book J. Dean commented on various items in her report. With regard to the 'Harnessing What Works' conference sponsored by the International Centre for the Prevention of Crime, she noted that our Little Black Book was very well received. She advised that the Mount Hope/Breithaupt Park Safety Audit received an excellent review and also circulated a highlight sheet noting other conference information that would be of interest to Committee members. A report regarding the 'Polder Model' for safety and security in The Netherlands and 'A Crime and Disorder Reduction and Community Safety Strategy' from Brent, England will be circulated to all members under separate cover. Both of these reports provide clear and comprehensive information. J. Dean advised that she intends to attach one information article received from the conference to each future agenda for discussion. SAFE CITY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 2, 1999 -2- CITY OF KITCHENER 5. 'DRAFT' STAFF REPORT BPS 99/175 - GRAFFITI This draft report was circulated and B. Stanley noted that it still required review by Management Committee relating to the involvement of various City departments to track and report incidents and costs of graffiti and vandalism on City property. R. Westbrook commented that this action plan was necessary as graffiti was no longer a sporadic problem but was viewed by Waterloo Regional Police as an increasing crime against property. A discussion regarding the various clauses of the recommendation took place and a few housekeeping amendments were recommended. With regard to clause 4, the topic of providing graffiti boards to give youth an approved outlet for self-expression, Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison commented on her experiences with graffiti after having recently attended a conference in Philadelphia. She noted that some graffiti were works of art and most were found in the most fragile of neighbourhoods. T. Beaulne would like to see removable, roll-up canvasses that could then be put on display and also preserved. R. Wyatt advised that the City has not been discouraging graffiti at the skatepark and that there has been very little problem with content. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison commented that she would like to encourage the creation of places for artists to paint graffiti and not damage public buildings. She felt that it was also necessary to let this practice evolve on its own without too many restrictions. It was further noted that K.C.I., Cameron Heights and Resurrection had all expressed an interest in participating with this project. R. Westbrook felt that this project should be led by students. J. Dean commented that graffiti may be incorporated with the annual ArtWorks! Festival. N. Brawley entered the meeting at this point. On motion by D. Schnarr- It was resolved: "That we endorse 'Draft' Business and Planning Services staff report BPS 99/175 - Graffiti, dated November 2, 1999." 6. Little Black Book Update Further to information in the October Safe City Co-ordinator's report, J. Dean advised that the shipment of books has not yet been received and that additional orders are still being received. T. Beaulne commented on a concept of the Community Information Centre whereby a youth focus workshop would be held to give them the skills to help friends seek help. The Little Black Book would be an excellent tool to use at the workshop. She will speak with T. Dickson, Co-Chair of the Mayor's Advisory Council on Youth about possibly leading this workshop. D. Schnarr questioned whether the Little Black Book could be put on the web. J. Dean pointed out that she is working on designing a Safe City Committee website and that pertinent points contained in the book are being considered for inclusion. 7. Community Court Information Pamphlet Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison circulated a pamphlet describing 'The Community Court of Baltimore'. She described it as a method of bringing together all social and legal agencies needed to support the court system. NOVEMBER 2, 1999 SAFE CITY COMMITTEE -3- CITY OF KITCHENER Community Court Information Pamphlet (Cont'd) Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison commented that our present court system does not have necessary support structures in place noting that persons arrested must wait to come before a judge and that no one is readily available to assist at the trial stage. While attending a conference recently, she learned of this concept whereby when an individual is arrested on petty charges, he/she is immediately placed before a judge. Support services are located in the same building as the court so if this individual also has other issues such as a drug dependency or no place to live, a representative from the appropriate social agency will be located in close proximity and will be able to speak with this person immediately to identify issues and start the process towards resolving or reducing personal problems. R. Westbrook spoke highly of this concept and volunteered to obtain more information and speak with some local officials regarding how the Community Court system could be established in Waterloo Region. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison will provide more information to R. Westbrook and an approach will be made to the Region's head judge to gain support. With regard to the information circulated at the meeting, T. Beaulne expressed concern regarding the wording of some of the text and felt that it would evoke a negative reaction from some of the local social agencies. Further, she indicated that the information made assumptions as to social and support resource programs being available when this might not be the case in the Region of Waterloo. The Committee felt that there were many positive elements in this concept and J. Dean suggested that the Community Court idea might qualify for pilot project funding. S. Bassanese entered the meeting at this point. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison asked that the two informational reports on the Community Courts be circulated to the Committee. Community Safety & Crime Prevention Council - Community Nei.qhbourhood Action Kit Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison advised that due to Councillor Yantzi's absence, this item would be deferred to the next meeting. However, copies of the kit would be circulated to Committee members in advance of the meeting. National Child Benefit Reqional Allocations T. Beaulne introduced this item by advising that there is funding available from the Province of Ontario, which will be distributed through the Region of Waterloo. These funds are a reallocation of some welfare payments. Two hundred thousand dollars is available for 1999 and $1.5 M for 2000. She pointed out that none of the 1999 funds are being allocated to programs within the City of Kitchener. Ms. Beaulne expressed concern regarding this information when the purpose of the Benefit is to provide assistance to Iow-income families to raise their children and it is common knowledge that approximately one half of all the Iow- income families in the Region reside in Kitchener. She noted that she had heard that there may have been a late adjustment and $5,000.00 was now being allocated to a Kitchener agency. Ms. Beaulne noted that she had introduced its item in order to raise the level of awareness of Committee members. She felt that there was a potential for the Committee to make use of some of this funding for our projects and programs. Ms. Beaulne expressed the hope that Councillor M. Yantzi would raise this allocation matter at the Region's Health & Social Services Committee meeting which is being held tomorrow. She felt it was necessary for him to ask some questions regarding the lack of funding allocation to Kitchener and will speak with him prior to the meeting. N. Brawley questioned who was responsible for determining funding allocations, what the application process was and if the City simply missed it. NOVEMBER 2, 1999 SAFE CITY COMMITTEE -4- CITY OF KITCHENER 10. 11. 12. 13. National Child Benefit Reqional Allocations (Cont'd) T. Beaulne advised that a reference group formed through the Region's Health & Social Services Committee made the allocations. She noted that she is in possession of a list of funding recipients. D. Schnarr suggested that neighbourhood associations could be encouraged to apply for some of the funding for their programs, which are offered to children and youth. B. Stanley suggested that J. Dean undertake additional research on this entire matter. Festival of Neiqhbourhoods T. Beaulne raised this subject and commented that the basis for initiating this festival was to sponsor community building throughout the city. The organizing committee consisting of herself and J. MacDonald have reviewed their past successes and feel that more people need to become involved in organizing and running this event. T. Beaulne indicated that she will be speaking with other Committee members to determine if they would be interested in participating. Li,qhtin,q Workinq Group - Porch and Christmas Li,qhts On The above programs are being suggested as a way to keep outside lights on in residential neighbourhoods in order to provide a safer environment. N. Brawley questioned if the purpose of these programs was to be educational in nature or a marketing campaign. J. Dean noted that it was meant to be education in order to get the message out to the public and the marketing aspect would be how the delivery was handled. N. Brawley suggested that students of Conestoga College's graphic arts program be approached and asked to design a marketing package as a school project. T. Beaulne suggested that The Record be approached to be a sponsor/partner of these campaigns. N. Brawley concurred in that The Record could help with the printing of material and agreed to contact Aubrey Walters to discuss their possible participation. T. Beaulne noted that The Record has a history of cooperating on community projects and suggested that The Record could seek other corporate sponsors to pay for the costs of printing the marketing material. B. Stanley commented that the timeline for launching this for Christmas 1999 is too tight; however, he suggested it be looked at as a year 2000 pilot project of the Committee. S. Bassanese offered to speak with a contact he has in Conestoga College's graphic arts program to seek their participation. R. Westbrook suggested that Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro be sought as a sponsor. Youth/Grants Awards Committee This item was referred to the next agenda. ADJOURNMENT Prior to adjournment, J. Dean remarked on R. Westbrook's service to the Committee and presented mementos to her. She then formally thanked R. Westbrook for her long-standing commitment and dedication to the Safe City Committee. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. L. Korabo Executive Assistant/ Committee Administrator