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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-24 Minutes CLARINGTON SAFE COMMUNITIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 24, 2013, 3:00 P.M. MEETING ROOM 1A Present: Mayor Foster Jen Andrew-Fischer, on behalf of John O'Toole, MPP Len Creamer, Manager of Municipal Law Enforcement Sean Fitzgerald, Durham Regional Police Services Erin Gorman, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board Rolf Kluem, Durham Regional Police Services Jennifer Knox, Ontario Power Generation Maria Perrino, John Howard Society Gord Weir, Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief Martin Wind, Durham Regional Police Services Also Present: Patti Barrie, Municipal Clerk Mayor Foster chaired the meeting. 1. MINUTES The minutes of the meeting held on November 29, 2012 were received without comment. 2. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR This matter was deferred to the next meeting. 3. DELEGATION (a) Paul Dobbs, Chair, Oshawa Safe Communities Committee provided information to the Committee on the start-up of Oshawa's committee. He indicated that the initial project was initiated in 2007 through the Durham Regional Police and the City of Oshawa. The first 1-1/2 to 2 years was a learning process during which time they had outside presenters addressing various safety issues. A survey of the City's citizens was undertaken to identify safety concerns of residents. Through this survey, it was identified that downtown safety was a concern, so the Committee partnered with stakeholders in the downtown core to undertake a clean up of the area in conjunction with Earth Day. The event, called Communities with Brooms, has proven to be very successful and the BIA have now taken over the lead role in this endeavour. Graffiti in the downtown was addressed and the BIA fielded the bill for the cleanup. This is a tough issue to tackle, but by making it a focus and engaging stakeholders and the Police Department, a difference can be made. Clarington Safe - 2 - January 24, 2013 Communities Committee In order to make the work of the Committee more meaningful for its members, the membership has been divided into working groups consisting of three people each to work of five different "forums". Pre- and post-forum surveys are conducted to measure the knowledge gained by those in attendance. All of the funding for the Committee comes from the City of Oshawa, based on the annual workplan which is formulated in November of each year. The original budget for the Committee was $3,000; the 2013 budget request is for $15,000. An annual report is submitted to City Council highlighting the activities of the past year and the workplan for the year ahead. 4. NEW BUSINESS (b) Key Priorities in DRP Community Patrol Plan Inspector Kluem described the Community Patrol Plan which is based on strategies identified in the Business Plan. He indicated that some issues can be visited over and over again. In Clarington, the major areas of focus are: ➢ Youth ➢ Safety and security in areas of school zones ➢ Property crime initiatives ➢ Traffic accidents ➢ Safety in public areas ➢ People who create the most serious danger to residents Various media releases will focus on these items. (a) Durham Regional Police Trending Reports Sean Fitzgerald advised that the trending reports indicate that Clarington is a very safe community. He advised that theft in motor vehicles is occurring everywhere in the community and traffic safety in the Boswell Drive to Regional Road 57 and the Scugog Street to Simpson Avenue zones is a concern. A survey of the crossing guards may be undertaken to ensure that Durham Regional Police are targeting the right areas. 5. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled to be held on Thursday, February 21, 2013, commencing at 3:00 p.m. in Committee Room 1A. For this meeting, Committee members are asked to consider themes that they would like to see addressed and to email their ideas to the Municipal Clerk for inclusion on the agenda. Also a review of the Terms of Reference will be undertaken to ensure that they are in line with the work the Committee hopes to achieve.