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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2005-06-07 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 7, 2005 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:07 p.m. Present: Mr. D. Schnarr, Co-Chair Councillor B. Vrbanovic, and M. Bowman, J. Breithaupt, P. Doherty, S. Fohring, C. Schneider, A. Bender, B. Thomlison, S. Franzen. Staff: J. Dean, Safe City Co-ordinator L. Korabo, Committee Administrator RE-INTEGRATION OF OFFENDERS INTO COMMUNITY 1. Mr. Mark Yantzi, Executive Director, Community Justice Initiatives (CJI), and Sgt. Jim Culham, Waterloo Regional Police Services (WRPS), attended to provide information on programs / supports currently in place to assist with the re-integration of sexual offenders into the community. Mr. M. Yantzi commented that the issue of re-integration of offenders had recently been back in the media due to the tenancy of a sexual offender at a half-way house on Water Street South, which is situated in a residential area. He advised that if an offender has a preference for children, this is similar to either a heterosexual or homosexual orientation. As such, this type of individual needs to learn how to manage this preference over the course of his / her lifetime. He advised that CJI works with matters involving crime and restorative justice. It counsels to assist people to take responsibility for their actions and offers support groups for different types of situations. In order for sexual offenders to be accepted into a support group, they must acknowledge their situation and take responsibility to manage their sexuality. He noted that the majority of those attending group sessions are from the community; however, a few individuals come from a greater distance to attend as CJI is a recognized authority in the field. Sgt. J. Culham gave a presentation on his work supervising released federal penitentiary inmates who are living in Waterloo Region. He advised that a proactive approach is taken by visiting federal inmates 6–8 weeks prior to their scheduled release to discuss their relocation options. Legislation exists which allows Police to request that terms be imposed upon sexual offenders who have served their full sentence and are about to be released and have indicated an interest in settling in or returning to our community. These terms are voluntary and include: ? curfew; ? abstinence from alcohol and drugs; ? permission required to travel outside of the municipality; ? permission required to move; ? restrictions on types of employment; ? if a convicted sexual offender of children, a requirement to take a drug to curb desires; and, ? permission for a romantic relationship. Sgt. Culham stated that WRPS enforces a zero tolerance policy and all breaches of terms result in charges and potential jail time. A second officer has recently been hired to assist with the supervisory program and both officers pay weekly visits to each supervised offender and require weekly telephone calls. Sgt. Culham noted that the half-way house in Kitchener is only one of a few available, with others being located in Hamilton and London and residency at a half-way house is strictly voluntary. In closing, he commented that this type of proactive policing has been effective for the past six years. Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned the number of offenders currently under supervision and Sgt. Culham advised that nine are being monitored. Sgt. Culham further commented that with the addition of a second officer, in his opinion, there are sufficient staff resources to effectively supervise these individuals. He advised that WRPS, unlike other jurisdictions, has not been in the habit of releasing the names of sexual offenders who relocate to the community. He felt it is better to impose terms on the conduct of offenders and continually monitor them rather than publicize their names and locations as this could potentially drive them underground and may cause sufficient stress that they become a danger to re-offend. His preference is to work one- on-one and keep up surveillance. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 7, 2005 - 14 - CITY OF KITCHENER RE-INTEGRATION OF OFFENDERS INTO COMMUNITY (CONT’D) 1. With regard to the group sessions offered by CJI, Ms. J. Dean questioned if the sessions were provided at no cost. Mr. Yantzi advised that provincial funding for men’s support groups was cut in 1995; however, funding is received from the United Way and therefore a nominal charge of $5.00 / person / group is offered. In response to a question from Councillor B. Vrbanovic regarding the greatest obstacles faced to re-integrate offenders, Mr. Yantzi stated that the public view of sexual offenders and their residency within the community is the greatest challenge. More awareness is needed to stress that managing, not changing, the behaviour of these individuals is the key. He also felt that governments were putting too much emphasis on enforcement rather than a ‘friendly surveillance’ program such as that undertaken by Waterloo Regional Police. PRISONER RELEASE PROTOCOLS 2. Mr. Marty Schreiter, Chair, Kitchener Downtown Community Collaborative, attended to advise of a situation relating to individuals who are charged with offences and incarcerated at either the Maplehurst Correctional Complex or the Vanier Centre for Women. Specifically when these individuals are returned to Kitchener for a court hearing and then subsequently released, they are not in possession of their personal belongings, which have remained at the correctional facility. Mr. Schreiter noted that in the past The John Howard Society provided a service whereby they would assist individuals in retrieving their belongings; however, this is no longer the case. There are many issues making retrieval difficult, if not impossible for someone to return on their own to Milton. Funds they would need to travel are often included amongst their belongings and there is no direct bus service between Kitchener and Milton. Consequently, the Downtown Outreach worker has been assisting individuals by driving them to / from the correctional facility so that they may retrieve their belongings. Funds from the Downtown Outreach Program budget are being used to pay for gas and are amounting to approximately $200. per month. Mr. Schreiter requested the Committee’s support to lobby the Provincial Government to ensure belongings are returned to individuals. A letter of support for the Downtown Community Collaborative’s request was circulated to the Committee. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic – it was resolved: “That the Provincial Government review their procedures pertaining to the release of prisoners who have been transported from a Provincial Superjail and are subsequently released by the courts in their home community; and, That the Provincial Government immediately implement procedures to ensure prisoners released in Kitchener receive their belongings or that travel arrangements to / from the Maplehurst Correctional Facility (Milton) are provided; and further, That this resolution be forwarded to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Large Urban Mayors Caucus of Ontario, the Minister of Community Safety & Correctional Services & to the four area MPPs.” FUNDING REQUEST – KITCHENER DOWNTOWN OUTREACH PROGRAM 3. Messrs. Marty Schreiter, Joe Mancini, Gerard Keough and Ms. Jude Meyer attended in support of a request by the Kitchener Downtown Community Collaborative (KDCC) for increased funding for the Downtown Street Outreach Project. Community Services Department report CSD-05-078 (C. Sadeler), dated June 3, 2005, was circulated in support of this request. The staff report provides information on the formation of the KDCC in May, 2002, whose mandate was to improve the understanding of various problems which were contributing to a SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 7, 2005 - 15 - CITY OF KITCHENER FUNDING REQUEST – KITCHENER DOWNTOWN OUTREACH PROGRAM (CONT’D) 3. negative public perception of the Downtown. As a part of this process, the Downtown Street Outreach Project was developed. Currently 1.5 outreach workers are in the Downtown to assist with: meeting the immediate needs of individuals living on the street; connecting these individuals to mainstream services such as health care and housing; and, providing public consultation, education and training developed in conjunction with other local organizations and agencies. Throughout the first two years of this project, successful outreach and engagement strategies were employed to develop trusting relationships with the people Downtown who live below the poverty line. Over the past year, the Kitchener Downtown Street Outreach Project has received Trillium funding to secure full-time employment for one worker and part-time employment for a second worker who started in December, 2004. At this time, additional funds are being requested from the Committee’s budget to supplement this funding and permit the part-time worker to achieve full-time status. It was noted that a grant of $20,000. was provided to the Collaborative in 2004. Mr. G. Keough, Outreach Worker, spoke of the human connections he has made and of the growing need for additional assistance in order to meet the needs of those on the street or those living below the poverty line. Mr. J. Mancini commented that awareness of the situations faced by these individuals has been raised through positive reporting by The Record and cited the success of the Job Café which provides temporary employment and income for individuals who may be otherwise unemployable. Mr. M. Schreiter commented on the need to sustain the project and noted that the Kitchener Downtown Business Association will continue to offer financial support as it has seen positive results with their initial participation. Mr. Schreiter acknowledged that the project should be marketed to other municipalities as a successful model to address various social issues. Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested that a presentation be made at the Fall conference of the International Downtown Association and that an article also be considered for inclusion in ‘Your Kitchener’. On motion by P. Doherty - it was resolved: “That $28,000. be allocated to the Kitchener Downtown Street Outreach Project from the 2005 Safe and Health Community Advisory Committee budget.” HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PLAN - UPDATE 4. Mr. B. Thomlison advised that a third meeting of the Healthy Communities Plan Steering Committee has been held and that general discussion regarding the social, economic and environmental aspects of the Plan had been discussed. He advised that a great deal of information had been shared and that a good foundation has now been established to move forward with an action plan. FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES (FCM) ANNUAL CONFERENCE 5. Councillor B. Vrbanovic provided a brief update of activities of interest to the Committee from the recent annual meeting of FCM. He noted several topics which were raised that he would like to have addressed and debated by the Committee at the next meeting. YOUTH ISSUES, GRANTS AND AWARDS 6. Ms. J. Dean circulated a summary of 2005 Youth Issues Grants recipients, noting that a total of 18 awards had been given out. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 7, 2005 - 16 - CITY OF KITCHENER ADJOURNMENT 7. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Linda Korabo Committee Administrator