HomeMy WebLinkAboutWD-11-99
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THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
REPORT
Date:
"""-07. 'S \
GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINIS1RATION COMMITTEE File # 'PiS. G~
FEBRUARY 15, 1999 Res.#69A-S?7-99.
Meeting:
Report No.: WD-11-99
By-Law #
Subject:
ROAD WATCH PROGRAM
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report WD-11-99 be received;
2. THAT Council endorse the Road Watch Program and thank the Clarington Healthy
Communities Committee for assisting in the formation of a Road Watch Committee;
3. THAT Council approve funds in the amount of $5,000.00 to be added to the Public Works
traffic budget Account No. 7211-00421-0000 to fund the initial purchase and installation of
approximately 50 Road Watch signs at various locations on Regional and Municipal
roadways;
4. THAT staff request Mati Holland, Co-ordinator, Community Road Safety Programs,
Ministry of Transportation to contribute a similar amount to help start the program; and
5. THAT a letter be included in the next tax bill or general mailing advising residents of
general traffic safety concerns, the existing Radar Message Board Program and proposed
creation of a Road Watch Program seeking volunteer committee members or comments.
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REPORT NO.: WD-1l-99
PAGE 2
REPORT
1.0 ATTACHMENTS
No 1: Media advisory: Whitby Road Watch Program dated June 9,1998
No 2: Sample of Whitby Citizen Report Form
No.3: Sample of Durham Regional Police Road Watch letter
2.0 BACKGROUND
2.1 At a meeting held on June 29, 1998, the Council of the Municipality of Clarington passed
the following resolution:
"THAT the Media release dated June 9, 1998 received from the Town of
Whitby be received;
THAT the correspondence be referred to the Director of Public Works for
review and preparation of a report to be submitted to the General Purpose
and Administration Committee."
3.0 REVIEW AND COMMENT
3.1 Overview of the Road Watch Program
The goal of the Road Watch Program is to reduce motor vehicle collisions, resulting
. property damage, personal injuries and fatalities. These goals can be achieved through a
community commitment to:
AWARENESS
EDUCATION
ENFORCEMENT
by getting the safety message out to everyone
by doing presentations at schools and community groups etc.
with citizens identifying aggressive drivers through a citizen
reporting system with police follow-up
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REPORT NO.: WD-1l-99
PAGE 3
3.2 Origin of the Road Watch Program
A Road Watch Program provides citizens with a direct opportunity to improve road safety
in their community and assist the police by having the public identify and report dangerous,
aggressive driving behaviour and assisting the authorities in selecting the most effective
enforcement sites.
On Mother's Day, in 1993, the Town of Caledon was in the news because of a traffic
fatality that claimed the life of eight young people. At the time, Caledon had the highest
fatality rate in Ontario. A group of representatives from the Council, Staff, Ontario
Provincial Police, school boards and concerned citizens met in the sununer of 1993. They
first formed the SAFE (Stop Accidents Everywhere) Committee to reduce accidents
through Awareness, Education and Enforcement.
Enforcement efforts were enhanced by involving the local citizens in. identifying aggressive
drivers by having them complete Citizen Report Forms. These forms are forwarded to the
police whereby first time offenders get a written warning, then subsequent complaints about
the same driver result in a phone call or personal visit from the police. The police received
1,655 citizen report forms during 1995 and with that success it was decided to give the
program a separate identity known as "Road Watch".
The program was well publicized through the distribution of 13,000 packages, which
included calendars, citizen report forms and static stickers for cars. Every road leading into
Caledon was posted with the Road Watch logo to warn all drivers that local citizens would
not tolerate aggressive driving and would report poor driving habits to the police. The
number of annual collisions in Caledon has been reduced from 1,577 in 1993, down to 994
in 1997, with fatalities dropping from 30 to 5.
Although it is impossible to measure the direct impacts, citizens feel the program has had a
positive influence. The Caledon program was financially sponsored by various.
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REPORT NO.: WD-1l-99
PAGE 4
transportation and aggregate producers in the area. The true strength of the program lies
with the citizen involvement to change driver's attitudes and habits, which can not be
done by the police alone.
3.3 Components of a Road Watch Program
The responsibilities listed below are general guidelines only and may vary from
municipality to municipality.
A) Set-Up - Responsibilities of Road Watch Implementation Committee Members:
1) To actively participate in the creation of the program, and then ensure its on-
going maintenance. Obtain a suitable computer and printer for the program.
2) Set budgets and fund raising goals so as to actively seek out sponsors to
endorse and fund the implementation of the program either through cash
donations or by providing services.
3) To obtain drop boxes and find suitable locations throughout the
municipality.
4) To promote the program with ongoing awareness and education through a
variety of venues with production and distribution of Citizen Complaint
Forms and safety messages to residents to ensure the public is aware of the
motoring safety initiative. Organize a community kick off with media
coverage.
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REPORT NO.: WD-1l-99
PAGE 5
B) Maintenance - Responsibilities of Road Watch Committee Members:
1) To work with the Police by providing them with complete, verified
complaints and distribution letters for authorization on a timely basis.
2) To continually promote safe driving habits and provide residents with an
avenue to do something about unsafe drivers.
3) To seek out sponsors to endorse and fund the on-going maintenance of the
program either through cash donations or by providing services.
C) Responsibilities of the General Public:
1) This program depends on resident participation through the completion of
the Citizen Report Forms and dropping them into the drop boxes provided.
2) To accomplish this, the residents must be aware of and support the program,
and be able to accurately obtain the licence plate number and other details of
the infraction.
3) The program is designed to protect the anonymity of the residents but the
complainant must provide their own name, signature and personal
information or the Police can not consider it a valid submission.
D) Responsibilities of Police:
1) To endorse The Road Watch Committee Members through a screening
process established by the Police Volunteer Services Co-ordinator due to
possible access to confidential information.
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REPORT NO.: WD-1l-99
PAGE 6
2) To authorize letters to alleged dangerous or aggressive drivers requesting
them to voluntarily co-operate and adopt a more responsible approach to
driving. A second letter and additional phone contact for a second reported
incident and personal visit for a third reported incident if the police feel it is
justified. To provide letterhead and postage for form letters, answer general
enquiries and provide telephone contact forrecipients ofletters.
3) Provide access for approved members of the Road Watch Committee to
information necessary for the distribution of warning letters to offending
motorists.
4) To provide a liaison person to worlc with the volunteers.
E) Responsibility of the Municipality:
1) To assist in the implementation of the process and provide lists of possible
contacts such as developers, consultants, and contractors for fund raising
purposes.
2) To pennit, install and provide general maintenance of Road Watch signs at
entrances to the municipality and urban centres.
3) To permit selected municipal locations as drop box locations for
submissions of Citizen Report forms and promotional displays.
3.4 Town of Whitby Road Watch Program
The Town of Whitby Road Watch Program was launched June 11, 1998. The set-up of this
program involved more than six months of heavy involvement, requiring community
support through donations and personal time commitments. Once set up, the program is
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REPORT NO.: WD-1l-99
PAGE 7
expected to be maintained by active members of the community such as service clubs,
seniors, students and other interested parties to ensure the long term success of the program.
The reliance on municipal staff and police should diminish as committee members maintain
the program.
The Town of Whitby had a good public volunteer base of twelve dedicated residents, who
previously worked for the Police Services Storefront Operation, to begin their program and
set up an implementation committee. The committee raised funds and purchased materials
while schools and students donated their time to cut and assemble the 25 drop boxes.
Businesses donating $1,000.00 or more were placed on the sponsor sheet and included
with distributed materials. Some sponsors provide some or all of the costs of items such
as fridge magnets. with the road watch logo and their business name. The cost of vehicle
sun visor pads was also offset by the use of advertising. The Municipality of Whitby
donated $7,500 while other fund raising generated over $30,000.00.
Preliminary Budget Items For Whitby:
Road Watch highway signs, installed (50)
Computer and software
Citizen Report Forms
Decals, posters
Drop boxes
Distribution costs
Letter postage
Stationery
TOTAL
$5,000
3,000
500
2,000
2,500
10,800
1,000
1,200
$26,000
Whitby has received approximately 300 citizen complaint forms between June and
November, 1998. Scugog Township has also created a Road Watch Program and has
received approximately 60 citizen complaint forms.
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REPORT NO.: WD-1l-99
PAGE 8
3.5 Creation of a Clarington Road Watch Program:
The Public Works Department fully supports this type of community program which
emphasizes motoring safety. The Municipality of Clarington does not have a high motor
vehicle accident fatality rate to stir public support as demonstrated in Caledon, or an
existing volunteer base, such as in Whitby, to begin the process. Due to the geographic size
of Clarington, some additional expenses would be involved in installing and maintaining
road signs on all the entrance points and at each urban centre. Clarington Public Works is
prepared to assist a Road Watch Committee, primarily with the signing requirements.
Inspector Ross Smith of Durham Regional Police, Clarington Community Office, has
assured his full co-operation with a Road Watch Committee if it can be set up and
maintained by the community.
A presentation was made by Janet Vendrig of the Scugog Road Watch Committee to the
Clarington Healthy Communities Committee on January 20, 1999. From this presentation,
along with assistance from local media coverage, the Durham Regional Police were able to
organize an initial Clarington Road Watch Committee meeting on February 16,1999. Staff
are confident that this collection of volunteers will be able to create and maintain this
program.
3.6 Clarington Radar Message Board Program (Existing)
During 1998, the Municipality recognized that the public was concerned about aggressive
drivers and purchased a Radar Message Board (radar gun with electronic display board) for
staff traffic studies and for public use to deter speeding on residential streets. Although the
unit has received some publicity through local papers, the unit has only been actively
promoted to groups and individuals who have been in contact with Public Works
Department regarding a specific traffic problem. It is an excellent way for residents to
verify the speed of motorists travelling on residential streets and provide the police with
licence plate information. This unit shonld be actively promoted by the Road Watch
. 4 ,,",,~
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REPORT NO.: WD-1l-99
PAGE 9
Committee as a device which can be borrowed from Public Works Department to assist the
public in identifying speeding motorists for the police.
4.0 CONCLUSION
4.1 From the above, it is concluded that a Road Watch Program would promote safe driving
and is supported by both Clarington Public Works and the Durham Regional Police, but
cannot succeed without active community participation. A contribution by the
municipality towards the purchase and installation of the signs plus a contribution of
between $3,000.00 to $5,000.00 from the Ministry of Transportation will assist in getting
the program started and encourage other corporate sponsors. The Clarington Healthy
Communities Committee has assisted by finding an initial volunteer base to implement and
run the program.
Respectfully submitted,
Reviewed by,
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Stephen:<\. Vokes, P. Eng.,
Director of Public Works
QL~~~
Chief Administrative Officer
RDB*SA V*ce
09/02/99
1130
r.LN,S. p=tly conslsts ora Il!Imberofpro~ namely:
I . The CQmmunlty putcluise of two laser speed deteotion devlw.;
· The Parent Safety Patrol at elementary schoob;
· The Radar Message Board for use by citizenS;
· The Durham Region Car Safety Selu Committee; and
.! RadiosafetYlll~gQliyffillen lItldl~rded by pri.-nary grade school students.
~,;(bnTlnlrsday. June 11, 1998 the ~ cOmponent Jw 1.N.8:wlll be introdUcedln Whitby. It is the
Jli'.,$oad Watoh Program. RoadWatcb:is a neWPtogram that provides residents the opportunity to
Improvc,road safety within tbeir community. ltassiststhepolioeby identifYingvehioles being operated
hangerously or in an uosafe manner and identifies locations fur special enforcement within the Town.
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COUNCil INFORMATION
MEDIA RELEASE
. '.' Tuesday, June 09, 1998
I. THE TOWN OF WlUTIlY IN COOPERATION WJT'8nm DURlfAM REGIONAL POLlCE
SERVICE
. JNTRODU€TION OF ROAD WATCH IN THE TOWN OF WHITBY
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'''On t1U/llCrol~ {Jcoasions,rt:.vidents of rhe Tawn of Whitby have ror:pre.vsed COf/CUII9 about the actians
'of .W/me drivers wi/hill/heir CO/f/!l1/t/lity. These Cl1llcerns relate to drivers Operlliillg their vehIcles III on
I aggressive or unsafe manner. RfiSide1,rg tiS/tally eXpress th!!1r 'Y)//c("ms over the telephone /0 e/eoted
officials and the police. 'They belie~. alld rightly ~'Q. that the actions o/these driven tel/d (0 rcdJJoe
ll/rt qllllllty 0/ life in thtlr Ireighhourhoodv a/td are c:atI.fingjear and anxiety izhaut road safety. Mall)'
citizens. have askd, "Wha/ can we do to help make our streets s(ifer?"
110 1998, the W.J./Il.S, Program (Whitby Involved in Neighbourltood Sufety) was introduaed in the
iTQwn OfWbitby. It was initiated by Whitby residents in cooperation witlI the Town of Whitby, Durham
Regional Polioe Servlce-Whitby CoIlllIlUllity Police Office aiId Whitby O.P.P. W.LN.S. Js a community
Il.1ased ,afety initiative introded t01mProve rosdsafety within Whitby through eduoatioo, awareness and
'o:nrorcemenl. By clUlUring all motorists drive safely, evetyone WINS. .
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rhrOUgh the completion orCilizen Report FOflll$, residents provide the n~ information to
PploprilUely dcal with these lWtS Ofunsafe driving. Secure4-0p boll" locations are Conveniently 10CRted
throughOllt the Community for the Citizen RCjlC)rt Fonus. Once 6 report is filed at the Whitby
€omltlUr1ity Police Officc,.a letter is fo.rwaroedtc. fbe registered owner or lessee (lfthe vebicle.
Subsequently w::ts. ofl1l13l\fo:: driving may result .in perl'Onal contact by the police with charges ~ns laid
depending on the Dature of the driving. :
tad Watoh willm4ke its introduCtion at a pr~s conferenQe at 11:00 AM in the Whitby Council
a.~ber~ MU'llgjUtl Bw1ding, 575 Ross/and RollO Ha~1.Wbitby on Thursday, June 11, 199&. Gues!
. ~ers mclud" the lionourablllJi'u Flaherty, Minister ofI.abourand AQting Solicitor General aDd the
Honou~le Thzry Cletw,lfJ(, MlnIster ofTnlll$portatlon. .
l'o'pr more infOrm8tiOll Wilccrniug the)llell5 confurence, pleaseconlacl Peter Lcl3cl Director of
\Vhitby'sMarkctingand Economic Development Office (90S) 668-5803. For info~tion about Road
W~toh:, p'~ InspeCtor Greg ReJd at the Whitby <'.onln1qnity Police Office (905) 579.1520
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1 : 31
ATTACHMENT NO., 1
REPORT NO.: WD-Il-99
.
DROP BOX LOCATIONS (Whitby)
Dur11am Regional Police Service
Whitby Community Police Office
650 Rossland Rd. E.
Whitby Municipal Building
575 Rossland Rd. E.
Civic Recreation Complex
555 Rossland Rd. E.
Iroquiois Park Sports Centre
500 Victoria 51. W.
Senior Citizen's Activity Centre
801 Brock 51. 5.
Whitby Public Library Branches
405 Dundas S1. W.
701 Rossland Rd. E.
8 Vipond Rd., Brooklin
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Ontario Provincial Police
Whitby Detachment
1301 Henry 51.
Whitby Operations Centre
333 McKinney Dr.
Whitby Fire Department
111 McKinney Dr.
Food Town
64 Baldwin 51.
Brooklin
The Whistle Stop
9550 Baldwin Sf.
Myrtle
Ashburn General Store
8890 Ashburn Rd.
Ashburn
Proudly Sponsored in Whitby by:
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For InOI'9 Infonnatlon, contact the Whitby Community PoUce otfIce at (905) 579-1520, ext.1 MO.
For more information on the Road Watch program and the
W.I.N.S. program, please contact the Durham Regional Police
Service, Whitby Community Police Office at 650 Rossland Road
East, Whitby, Ontario L 1 N 9G5. Phone: 579-1520 ex!. 1840.
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Citizen Report Form
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ROAD WATCH"
A community road safety program in the
Town of Whitby sponsored in coopera-
tion with the Durham Regional Police
Service - Whitby Community Police
Office and the Ontario Provincial Police
- Whitby Detachment.
REPORT DATE TIME
DATE OF INCIDENT n M
TIME OF INCIDENT 0 AM
LOCATION OF INCIDENT IN WHITBY
,AT
Y
OPM
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VEHICLE INVOLVED
PLATE #
o AUTO
o TRUCK 0 OTHER
VEHICLE YEAR
MODEL
PROV.
MAKE
COLOUR
DRIVER INVOLVED
DESCRIPTION OF DRIVER:
.~!=.JS:....
...AGE;
WHAT HAPPENED:
INCIDENT REPORTED BY:(This area must be completed & signed)
SURNAME
FIRST NAME
ADDRESS
TOWN
PHONE#(
SIGNATURE
Your name will be kepi confidential and not disclosed. This Citizen Report Form is to
be dropped off at the confidential box lOCations noted on the back of this form.
POSTAL CODE
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ATTACHMENT NO.: 2
REPORT NO.: WD-Il-99
,
Durham Regional Po/ice Service
. Ie:. Mc:AJpi". . Chl.f of P~ic.
. D. o."$On . o.puty ~IJ . Adminiltration
. J. Adam. . o.pv1y ClUoI. OpOl<lHon.
xxProcessDatexx
.<,~Own6",f-il.aastN:UllllXX
xxOwnersAddressxx
xxOwners'i'ownProvxx
xxOwnersPostalCodexx
Dear xxOwnersFirstLastNamexx:
Subjeet: Road Watch Inddcnt //98-xxlncidcntNumberxx
On xxlncidcntDatexx at xx IncidentThnexx an incidom was reported involving a
xxColorMakeModelxx, bearing Ontario licence plate number xxPlateNumberxx. The report states
that Ibi. lCl11iclc ..UU UlJJUl ,,01 JUl"',ulIlaIlIJU1WM UIl .u.Lul.dlll.tJ,u tu W1111Uy. A. CU~Cll ur U1~
vehicle files at the Ministry of Transportation indiCates that you are the registored owner oflhis
vehicle.
This incident is brought to your attention in the interests of road safety, as this type of aggressive
driving must be discouraged. If you were not the operator of the vehicle at the time of tho incident,
lYe ask that you bring this matter to the atteation of that individual. Further reported incidents will
result in a police officer coaracting you. If you wish to discuss this incident, please COIItact tho
Whitby Community Police office at extension 1840.
WINS (Whitby In\lOlved in Neighbourhood Safety) is a community initiative of the Town of
Whitby ope~ in conjunction with the Whitby Community Police office of dIe Durham Regional
Police and t4,Whitby Detachment of the OPP. WINS actiwly involves the community in
participatiJJ)l in several community safety initiatives, including the identification of aggressive
drivers. Cjtiun Report FomlS are deposited in drop boxes that are conveniently located at
nUInerou:> locations thfPughout Whitby.
Your C91PPeration ~ making our roadways safer benefits all of us. Please tak~ the time to review
the addj#onal marl abeut WINS that is enclosed with this letter.
Thank You,
<mg Reid
Inspector-Whitby Community Police Office
650 ,i.Ossland Road East
Whitby, Ontario
LIN 905
When everyone drives safely - everyone WINSI
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