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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe City - 2001-04-03SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 3, 2001 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe City Committee met this date commencing at 4:05 p.m., Chaired by Councillor B. Vrbanovic with the following members present: Ms. C. Perry and Messrs. D. Ryan, B. Burns, F. Bishop, S. Bassanese, T. Dickson, B. Doherty and S. Burek. Others present: Ms. J. Dean, M. Sanderson, J. Koppeser, L. Korabo and Messrs. B. Stanley, J. Witmer, B. Wolfe. Mr. F. Pizzuto was in attendance for part of the meeting. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion by Mr. T. Dickson - it was resolved: "That the minutes of March 6, 2001, as mailed to the members, be approved." 2. PRESENTATION - COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION PROJECT Inspector Brian Doherty, Waterloo Regional Police, introduced the Waterloo Regional Police's Community Mobilization Project presentation and provided an overview of the project indicating that Police have established a Business Plan for the period 2001-2003 incorporating ten mandated areas established by the Ministry of the Solicitor General. The Business Plan ensures adequacy standards are met as well as ensures that resources are identified and strengths and weaknesses of their delivery are known. The presentation demonstrates how the Waterloo Regional Police will do business in the future. Sergeant Patrick Smola, Community Services Branch - Waterloo Regional Police, attended as a delegation to provide details on how the Community Mobilization Project is being incorporated into the Police training module and gave a Powerpoint presentation on the process, specifically referencing the project in place in the Breithaupt Street/Louisa Street neighbourhood for approximately two years. Mr. Dennis Pellerin appeared as a delegation and provided a history of why the Community Mobilization program was established in the Breithaupt/Louisa Street area, noting a serious problem with prostitution and crack houses. He advised that the Police provided residents with the tools to develop ideas on how to eliminate the problem rather than forcing it to re-locate to another community within the City. Mr. Pellerin also commented on the assistance received from Dr. Hugh Russell to develop a strong relationship between residents and the Police. Mr. D. Ryan related personal experiences with the mobilization project since moving into the neighbourhood 18 months ago and noted a significant decrease in negative activity during that time. Councillor B. Vrbanovic thanked the delegations and opened the floor to questions from the members. Members of the Committee asked a variety of questions of all the delegations in order to better understand the mobilization process. Councillor Vrbanovic noted that a new project is now underway in the Irvin Street neighbourhood and suggested it may be advantageous for the Committee to hear a presentation from representatives of this area in the future. Sergeant P. Smola, Dr. H. Russell, D. Pellerin, J. Witmer, B. Wolfe and J. Koppeser left the meeting. 3. SAFE CITY CO-ORDINATOR'S REPORT - April 2001 Ms. J. Dean distributed the April 2001 Safe City Co-ordinator's report to members for their information. The Committee then reviewed the report, which included updates on the following topics: · Funding 1. Graffiti Busters Program APRIL 3, 2001 SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES -13- CITY OF KITCHENER = = = SAFE CITY CO-ORDINATOR'S REPORT - April 2001 - (Cont'd) City-Wide Youth Issues Committee 1. Little Black Book 2. Katimavik Volunteer 3. Kitchener Kaleidoscope - Kids Events Calendar/Colouring book 4. Youth Issues Grants and Awards Program · Safety Audit Working Group 1. Civic Centre Neighbourhood Association · Lighting Working Group- 1. Lighten Up Campaign · Outreach and Liaison 1. Safer Communities Action Team (SCAT) Mr. S. Bassanese requested that a copy of the SCAT Inventory of Municipal Activity be provided to him, when available. Councillor B. Vrbanovic extended thanks to Ms. J. Dean for her co-ordination efforts with regard to the Youth Awards/Grants presentations made at the City Council meeting held on April 2, 2001. Mr. F. Pizzuto entered the meeting. ROLE OF THE COMMITTEE Councillor B. Vrbanovic raised the matter of the public role of the Committee by referring to a situation that had been brought to his attention recently. He recommended that members of the Committee, when speaking in public and noting their affiliation with the Safe City Committee ensure that the comments and thoughts being portrayed are those of the Committee and not personal views. The Committee concurred with this recommendation. Ms. J. Dean raised the matter of the Committee's Terms of Reference review requested by members for consideration at this meeting. Councillor Vrbanovic provided a brief explanation of the purpose of an Advisory Committee Review working group, consisting of members of Council and staff. The working group was appointed to review all of Council's advisory committees in terms of possible overlap, duplication of work/efforts and identify areas that could be enhanced or streamlined, in order to ensure committees function more efficiently. It was agreed that a review of the Committee's Terms of Reference may be premature at this time. A brief discussion followed wherein members expressed certain concerns and Councillor Vrbanovic indicated, that as a member of the working group, he would ensure that the Committee's comments were relayed to the other members. KITCHENER KALEIDOSCOPE - KIDS EVENTS CALENDAR / COLOURING BOOK Ms. J. Dean circulated copies of the completed Kids Events Calendar / Colouring book to all members and many positive comments were made on its appearance and content and it was noted that the artist will be paid for her work. On motion by Mr. F. Bishop - it was resolved: "That the Committee forward a Certificate of Appreciation to Robin Oakes for her outstanding work in designing the graphics for the Kitchener Kaleidoscope 2001 Kid's Colouring and Events Calendar." The Committee Administrator was requested to prepare and forward this Certificate. APRIL 3, 2001 SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES -14- CITY OF KITCHENER Safer Communities Action Team (SCAT) - Inventory of Municipal Activity As copies of the SCAT Inventory of Municipal Activity are not yet available for distribution, this matter was deferred until the May, 2001 meeting. Ms. C. Perry left the meeting. Update Report - Joint Meetinq of Waterloo Reqional Police / Safe City Committee / Community Safety & Crime Prevention Council Councillor B. Vrbanovic provided a verbal update on the meeting held last month and stated it was held to discuss the perception of competing interests within these organizations and develop a plan to move forward and involve all parties. It was decided that the group would continue with regular meetings and work on building 'capacity and links' between the various committees. An identified goal was the sustainability of the process, perhaps utilizing partnerships and integrated working relationships. Councillor Vrbanovic highlighted several of the processes identified as ways to achieve stated goals and to tap into the wealth of knowledge of all parties involved. He indicated that, further meetings have been scheduled for June, September and December, 2001. Councillor Vrbanovic stressed the benefit of information sharing that has taken place and commented that networking between community groups enables all parties to work in a more effective manner. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. L. Korabo Committee Administrator