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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD-7-94 2 THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON REPORT Meeting: General Purpose and Administration Committee File # Date: 7 March 1994 Res. # By-Law# Report#: CD- 7 ---9-4 File#: Subject: VANDALISM TO PARKING METERS Recommenna: V10 is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report CD-7-94 be received for information. BACKGROUND At the General Purpose and Administration Committee meeting held on February 21, 1994, Committee requested that staff prepare a report on the issue of parking enforcement and damage done to parking meters, including the relationship with the Durham Regional Police. It was noted at that time that revenue for January was down over the previous year and there had recently been incidents of vandalism involving damage to approximately 22 meters . Comments in the press have left the impression that the vandalism occurred to the new meters which were supposed to be vandal resistant. Council will recall that as a result of several incidents of vandalism in late 1991, and 1992, the Municipality purchased 75 vandal resistant parking meter housings and electronic mechanisms . This was to be the first phase of a three part plan to replace all the on-street meters with new, safer housings and upgraded mechanisms . The housings, made of ductile iron with a breaking point of 5,500 pounds per square inch, were supplied by two companies, MacKay Meters and Electromega. 6 () 1 /2 RECYCLED 1-11 'A'rR R_D't D16 IS PR WED REGYE1_ED PAPER Report CD-7-94 - 2 - March 7, 1994 Due to the changes in Departmental jurisdiction which occurred as a result of the Economic Development Report in the spring of 1993, this purchase plan became delayed. Since the initial installation, there has not been one successful incident of vandalism to or theft from these new units . REPORT There are approximately 100 old units still on the street at this time. These are the units which have been the target of repeated vandalism. Over a period of approximately four to six weeks, 22 of these meters were vandalized and broken into. The attacks, often occurring at night or over the weekends, have all been reported to and investigated by the Regional Police. As with all crimes, the problem has been one of finding the culprits . In each case, staff have reported the incidents to the Police as they became aware of them. The Durham Regional Police lack sufficient manpower to have an officer patrolling the downtown at all times of the day and night. In early February, acting on information received, the Regional Police apprehended three youths ranging in ages from 10 to 15, who they believe are responsible for the thefts and vandalism. Two have been charged under the Young Offenders Act and the third, who is under the minimum age ( 12 years old) , cannot be charged. The Police have submitted a request for an Order of Restitution for the damages . The Municipality can reasonably expect to receive very little in restitution from the youths . Staff have traditionally enjoyed a good working relationship with the Durham Regional Police. Inspector James Adams of 16 Division has acknowledged that his officers are prepared to assist the Municipality in any way possible. 6 U 2 . . ./3 Report CD-7-94 - 3 - March 7, 1994 The meters perform a very important function in regulating traffic flow. The Main Central Area Study and the Cause Study both recognize the traditional value of parking meters as necessary to ensure proper and efficient movement of vehicular traffic within the downtown. According to the Main Central Area Study, 80% of vehicles parked at meters on King St. remain for less than 30 minutes . The presence of the meters helps ensure this turnover. At times when the meters are covered or inoperative vehicles have been noted parking and remaining for the entire day at one spot, thus seriously restricting available parking for shoppers . Collection problems have been due to the exceptionally cold winter which we have experienced. The severe cold has caused the locks and hinge mechanisms to freeze. This problem has affected both the vault housings and the old units equally and is not unique to this year. RECOMMNDATIONS As long as the old units remain on the street, the risk of vandalism will remain high. Staff have discussed this matter with the Public Works Department. They have placed an amount of $23,000 . 00 in the proposed Capital Budget. This money will be drawn from the Parking Lot Reserve Fund, and thus not affect the tax base for 1994 . The money will be used to purchase approximately 100 vault housings which will complete the on-street inventory. V6 . . . /4 Report CD-7-94 - 4 - March 7, 1994 The previous vandalism incidents have all been directed against the cash boxes. The new units will provide protection to the cash canister and should effectively eliminate the vandalism threat to the Municipality's parking meters . There is also sufficient money to purchase approximately 20 electronic mechanisms to replace damaged or aging mechanical units . Respectfully submitted Recommended for Presentation to Council ' i3at rie, A.M.C.T. Marie Marano, H.B.Sc. , A.M.C.T. Cle Acting Chief Administrative Officer 6'.) 4