Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe City - 2001-07-03SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 3, 2001CITY 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: Superintendent A. McConnell – Waterloo Regional Police and Messrs. F. Bishop, B. Burns, T. Dickson and D. Schnarr. Ms. T. Beaulne and Ms. C. Perry were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others present: Ms. J. Dean, Ms. M. Sanderson, Ms. S. Adams, Ms. L. Korabo and Messrs. B. Stanley and F. Pizzuto. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that he would be unable to Chair the meeting due to a scheduling conflict and requested that the Committee appoint a member to chair today’s meeting. On motion by Mr. T. Dickson – It was resolved: “That Mr. Dennis Schnarr be appointed Chair for the July 3, 2001 meeting of the Safe City Committee due to the absence of both Co-Chairs.” Councillor B. Vrbanovic then left the meeting and Mr. D. Schnarr assumed the Chair. 1.APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. J. Dean clarified that with respect to Item 3 concerning a lighting design for Hall’s Lane, the report referred to in the June 5, 2001 minutes will be prepared jointly by the Traffic & Parking Division and the Safe City Committee. On motion by Mr. T. Dickson – It was resolved: “That the minutes of June 5, 2001, as amended, be approved.” 2.REPORT – ‘BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NEEDS OF FEMALE STREET-LEVEL SEX TRADE WORKERS WHO HAVE SEVERE ADDICTIONS IN KITCHENER’ At it’s June 11, 2001 meeting, City Council received a report entitled ‘Between and Rock and a Hard Place: An Assessment of the Needs of Female Street-Level Sex Trade Workers who have Severe Addictions in Kitchener’ prepared by Hancock Research Consulting on behalf of the Sex Trade Worker Committee. The Sex Trade Worker Committee had received funding from the City to undertake this research project and was requested to present a final report to Council. Following the report’s presentation, City Council referred it to the Safe City Committee for consideration and comment. Several members of the Sex Trade Worker Committee were in attendance including: Lynn Calder, Tim Rafferty, Jan Van Stralen, Liz Finney and Marsha Redman. Ms. Karen Hancock of Hancock Research Consulting was also in attendance. Ms. L. Calder provided the Committee with background on the establishment of the Sex Trade Worker Committee noting it was formed approximately two years ago by the joining of individuals who were operating a ‘John School’ and area residents who have been directly affected by the activities of prostitutes working in residential neighbourhoods. Ms. Calder noted that report was funded by the City of Kitchener from tuitions paid by ‘John School’ attendees. Ms. K. Hancock, who was hired as the researcher, advised that the purpose of the project was to: conduct a detailed examination of the relationship between street-level prostitution and severe addictions in the Downtown core of Kitchener; calculate the number of street-level prostitutes with severe addictions working in the core area; compile an inventory of related social services in the Region; and, to identify gaps and suggest recommendations of possible approaches to help the women, based on feedback from the women themselves. Ms. Hancock noted that 15-35 women were identified as selling sexual services in order to finance their addiction to crack cocaine. SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 3, 2001- 23 -CITY OF KITCHENER 2.REPORT – ‘BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NEEDS OF FEMALE STREET-LEVEL SEX TRADE WORKERS WHO HAVE SEVERE ADDICTIONS IN KITCHENER’ – (CONT’D) Ms. T. Beaulne entered the meeting. The research conducted by the Sex Trade Worker Committee concluded that the crack- addicted women were not accessing mainstream social services available to them primarily due to psychological and institutional barriers and that their prostitution and drug-related activities impacted negatively on nearby residential neighbourhoods. A summary of the research project made seven specific recommendations for future action: · Outreach services be provided at least four nights each week targeting street-level prostitutes. Outreach workers must understand addictions, addiction services and provide information on available resources and distribute practical supplies; · Case management services be provided to connect with sex trade workers at strategic points in the helping process so as to follow the women through the system by providing advocacy, referral and support; · Long-term women-only aftercare services be augmented; · Addiction service agencies and other interested parties collaborate to determine how best to address accessibility issues; · Addiction service agencies and other interested parties address gaps in the continuum of service particularly outreach, case management and aftercare needs; · A safe place be designated to serve crack addicted women; and, · Links be made with affordable, supported long-term housing to assist in the maintenance of long-term stability and freedom from addiction. With respect to Recommendation 4, Ms. J. Dean advised of research conducted in 1998 by the Waterloo Region-Wellington-Dufferin District Health Council entitled ‘Integrated Service Plan for Addiction Treatment Services’. She suggested that the Sex Trade Worker Committee could avail themselves to this research and this potential partnership organization, in the interests of addressing accessibility issues. Several members of the Safe City Committee provided personal comment on the report and noted their agreement with the recommendations and actions, as outlined. A lengthy exchange of information followed covering the following issues/concerns: enforcement by Police; supported services to ensure long-term solutions to drug use; funding of the ‘John School’; next steps; housing; and, how the Safe City Committee can assume a role that would be beneficial to implementing the report’s recommendations. Ms. J. Dean questioned what the Sex Trade Worker Committee would be undertaking as the next step in the process to assist women identified in the report, and Ms. Van Stralen advised that an Implementation Committee will be established to meet with community representatives, focus on acute care methods and establish a Terms of Reference. She commented that all agencies need to work together and that, eventually, funding sources will be researched and sought. Ms. Calder noted that the main focus will be to begin outreach services and provide training in acute service support in order that the current gaps in the continuum can be closed. Ms. T. Beaulne questioned where the needs identified in the Sex Trade Worker Committee report fit into the mandate of the Safe City Committee and requested specific information on what role the Committee could undertake to assist with the implementation of the recommendations. It was suggested that the Safe City Committee continue to carry out safety audits. Mr. D. Schnarr commented that the Safe City Committee will need to undertake additional discussion on how it could assist the Sex Trade Worker Committee to implementation of the seven recommendations. He suggested that this matter be placed on the September, 2001 SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 3, 2001- 24 -CITY OF KITCHENER 2.REPORT – ‘BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NEEDS OF FEMALE STREET-LEVEL SEX TRADE WORKERS WHO HAVE SEVERE ADDICTIONS IN KITCHENER’ – (CONT’D) meeting agenda as the main topic for discussion in order to prepare comment, as requested by City Council. Mr. Schnarr thanked the members of the Sex Trade Worker Committee for their attendance and the members then left the meeting. Supt. A. McConnell advised members of the Committee that Dr. Hugh Russell who is known to the Committee for his community mobilization work has completed a report on prostitution and ‘Johns’ in the same area as that covered by the Sex Trade Worker Committee report. She commented that the Committee may wish to consider Dr. Russell’s report, if available, in conjunction with the continued discussion of this matter at the September Safe City Committee meeting. If the report is available, it was requested that it be circulated with the September meeting agenda. 3.AUGUST COMMITTEE MEETING The Committee Administrator was requested to conduct a survey of members to determine whether a quorum would be available for the August 7, 2001 Safe City Committee and discuss the results of the survey with the Co-Chair. Ms. C. Perry left the meeting. 4.SAFE CITY CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT – JULY 2001 Ms. J. Dean distributed the July 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 · City-Wide Youth Issues Committee 1. Little Black Book 2. Youth Issues Grants and Awards Program 3. Mural Mentoring Program · Lighting Working Group – 1. Laneway Lighting · Outreach and Liaison 1. Safer Communities Action Team (SCAT) · Research and Education 1. Tenant Safety Package Information was requested on the success of the Charity 911 Golf Tournament held on June 20, 2001. Mr. F. Pizzuto advised that the total money raised has not yet been finalized but that it appeared to have been a very successful event. As this tournament was a project which involved participation of the City-Wide Youth Issues Sub-Committee, a general discussion followed concerning a comment made by the Safe City Committee’s former Waterloo Regional Police representative regarding the desire of Police volunteers involved in the Tournament’s organization to take on a lesser role and turn the tournament operation over to volunteers. Ms. J. Dean requested specific information from Waterloo Regional Police concerning tasks that require volunteer assistance. Supt. A. McConnell agreed to obtain more information concerning the future involvement level of Police representatives and advise the Committee accordingly. SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 3, 2001- 25 -CITY OF KITCHENER 5.CURRENT HAPPENINGS – CITY HALL In the absence of Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Mr. F. Pizzuto provided details concerning the recently announced re-organization of City Hall Departments, noting that an organizational chart had been circulated with the agenda. He advised that Council was mandated to make organizational changes in order to streamline operations to demonstrate a ‘Service First’ philosophy. For the information of the Committee, it was noted that Ms. J. Dean now reports through the Community Programs and Services Division of the Community Services Department and no longer through the Business & Planning Services Department. Ms. S. Adams expressed the view that having Safe City work with Community Programs and Services may allow a greater expansion of possible services to be provided by having access to staff and services in more than one department. A discussion then followed concerning the proposed restructuring of the City’s advisory committees as had been presented to members at the June meeting. Mr. F. Bishop expressed concern over the lack of openness of the process and the future of the City-Wide Youth Issues Sub-Committee as it had failed to meet since the end of 2000. It was requested that volunteers who serve on the Youth Issues Sub-Committee should also be kept informed of the proposed restructuring. Ms. J. Dean commented that the Safe City Committee’s sub- committees and working groups are very important as they undertake the actual work and projects that come under the mandate of the Committee. Mr. D. Schnarr suggested that Ms. Dean circulate a summary listing of the City-Wide Youth Issues Sub-Committee’s ongoing projects for the information of the Safe City Committee. On motion by Ms. T. Beaulne – It was resolved: “That a meeting of the City-Wide Youth Issues Sub-Committee be held on July 25, 2001, to discuss current issues and projects; and further, That an update report on the work of the Sub-Committee be presented to a future meeting of the Safe City Committee.” 6.NATIONAL MENTORING CONFERENCE Due to the absence of Councillor B. Vrbanovic, an information report on the National Mentoring Conference was deferred and referred to a future meeting. 7.2001 NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PREVENTING CRIME Informational material on the 2001 National Conference on Preventing Crime was circulated with the agenda. Ms. T. Beaulne questioned if there were sufficient funds available for members of the Committee to attend the Conference and Ms. Dean indicated that funding is available. M. Sanderson left the meeting. It was generally agreed that more details concerning costs to attend the conference were required and Ms. Dean was requested to circulate this information. 8.ANNUAL SAFE CITY COMMITTEE GARDEN PARTY Ms. J. Dean circulated invitations to attend the annual Safe City Committee Garden Party, which she is hosting at her home on August 18, 2001. 9.NEW BUSINESS Copies of the Safer Communities Action Team Inventory of Municipal Activities were circulated for the information of members. SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 3, 2001- 26 -CITY OF KITCHENER 10.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. L. Korabo Committee Administrator