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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-19 Minutes CLARINGTON SAFE COMMUNITIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE June 19, 2014, 3:00 P.M. MEETING ROOM 1A Present: Chris Newman, Firehouse Youth Centre, Chair Len Creamer, Manager of Municipal Law Enforcement until 3:40 p.m. Mayor Adrian Foster Sheryl Greenham, Erin O’Toole’s Office Councillor Ron Hooper Pastor John Wildeboer, Rehoboth Christian Reformed Church Martin Wind, Durham Regional Police Services Gord Weir, Director of Emergency Services, Vice-Chair until 3:15 p.m. Also Present: June Gallagher, Committee Coordinator 1. MINUTES Moved by L. Creamer, seconded by Councillor Hooper THAT the minutes of the meeting held on May 15, 2014 be approved. CARRIED 2. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING a) Marketing/Events – Acquisition of A-Frame Signs Len Creamer informed the Committee that he is awaiting information from the Municipal Solicitor. This item will be discussed at the next meeting with an update from Len Creamer. b) Parachute Safe Communities Checklist – Update on Date for Presentation P.C. Wind informed the Committee that he plans to arrange for a half hour presentation from Parachute Safe Communities, for the September meeting of the Clarington Safe Communities Advisory Committee. c) Graffiti Cleanup Day - Update P.C. Wind informed the Committee that the graffiti cleanup day was successful and wet. He is hoping that the schools will start to take ownership of the issue and become more involved with the cleanup. P.C. Wind noted that the Canada Post and Hydro One utilities boxes are not to be cleaned up by residents, but both utility companies were willing to clean them up. He added that Canada Post is happy to be involved in any media events surrounding the graffiti issue. P.C. Wind stated that Veridian does not encounter too much graffiti, but would also be willing to be involved in media events. Clarington Safe - 2 - June 19, 2014 Communities Committee The Committee discussed possible methods of handling graffiti complaints. P.C. Wind indicated that this Committee should not be the vehicle for complaints. Mayor Foster suggested setting up a Clarington email such as stopgraffiti@clarington.net. The Committee concluded that it would be helpful to have an employee from the Communications and Marketing Division attend the September Clarington Safe Communities Advisory Committee meeting to develop a solution for graffiti reporting. Chris Newman added that the graffiti cleanup day had limited community outreach, mainly due to the weather, but that the residents contacted were supportive of the types of initiatives and appreciated the student’s initiatives. d) Standard Event Poster – Final Design Chris Newman indicated that he would forward the final design, to all Committee members, prior to the September meeting. He added that the Youth Leading Youth group is developing a poster, which will be forwarded to the Communications and Marketing Division for approval. e) Family Safety Day - Friends of Simon Weisenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies June Gallagher informed the Committee that Anne Greentree had contacted Jennifer Delaney, Fire Prevention Officer, regarding the possibility of including the “Friends of Simon Weisenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies” as part of the September 27, 2014 Family Safety Day event. 3. NEW BUSINESS (a) DRPS Trending Report P.C. Wind informed the Committee of the recent break-ins in the Bowmanville area. He added that DRPS is sending out information on simple ways to secure the home, to be available through various websites. P.C. Wind informed the Committee that he is conducting a presentation on home security and home safety. Mayor Foster raised the possibility of a separate Safe Communities Facebook page, however the Committee felt that it might not be advantageous to split the audience with additional Facebook pages. Chris Newman will email the Safe Communities logo to P.C. Wind to be included in future communications, including information sheets. An information sheet can be distributed through the Clarington social media via the Clarington Communication and Marketing Division. P.C. Wind noted that the DRPS plans to provide residents with a link to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services online safety book. Clarington Safe - 3 - June 19, 2014 Communities Committee Len Creamer left the meeting at 3:40 p.m. Councillor Hooper informed the Committee that he will be attending a jeweller’s webinar next week and will forward any additional information on home safety. Mayor Foster suggested that, when the Communications and Marketing Division representative attends the Safe Communities meeting in September, there could be a discussion surrounding a communications strategy. b) Youth Leading Youth Group Chris Newman reminded the Committee that the Youth Leading Youth Group works on youth based initiatives and issues. He noted that they partnered with Safe Communities Committee and DRPS for the graffiti cleanup event. Chris added that Youth Leading Youth will be involved in the Summertime Madness Event to be held on Thursday, June 26, 2014 between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Bowmanville High School. He explained that this is an event for Clarington high school students to get them involved in networking in a fun way, including games and activities. The event will include different youth-serving agencies as well as those providing youth summer programs. Chris Newman added that the goal is to have other high schools in the community host one of these similar events in the future. Youth Leading Youth will be on hiatus during the summer, but Facebook and Twitter will still be monitored. Mayor Foster noted that the Youth Leading Youth group performed well as part of the Relay for Life event. Mayor Foster asked whether one of the school board trustees could be part of the Clarington Safe Communities Advisory Committee. June Gallagher will forward an invitation to trustees. c) Brainstorming Next Event – Family Safety Day The Committee discussed the possibility of an information booth, similar to last year. Chris Newman volunteered to prepare an information sheet on what the Committee has accomplished, its goals, and future events/plans. Pastor Wildeboer stated that he is willing to help out on Family Safety Day. The Committee expressed the hope that the signs will be ready for the event. A discussion finalizing the plans for Family Safety day will be take place at the next meeting, on September 18, 2014. Clarington Safe - 4 - June 19, 2014 Communities Committee 4. OTHER BUSINESS a) Communications and Marketing Division The Committee agreed that it would be beneficial to have a representative from the Communications and Marketing Division attend the September meeting. b) Safety Presentation P.C. Wind informed the committee that, recently, fire volunteers, residents, and youth toured the area of Elgin and Concession streets providing information regarding reporting suspicious activity, and fire safety information. As a result, a couple of residents have indicated that they may be interested in attending a safety presentation. P.C. Wind suggested that the Rehoboth Church could be used for the presentation. P.C. Wind and Pastor John will work out the details of the presentation. c) Is Clarington a Safe Community? Mayor Foster asked whether P.C. Wind thinks the community believes Clarington is a safe community. P.C. Wind stated that, in general, people believe Clarington is a safe community. He added that it is important to stress the house security tips. P.C. Wind noted that 40-50% of crimes are crimes of opportunity, therefore messaging and working with the community is important in reducing crime. 5. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled to be held on September 18, 2014, in Meeting Room 1A at 3:00 p.m. 6. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Sheryl Greenham, seconded by Ron Hooper THAT the meeting adjourn. CARRIED The meeting adjourned at 3:58 p.m. Chris Newman, Chair June Gallagher, Deputy Clerk