An enhanced security initiative that has been running for the past few weeks in Downtown North Bay and the waterfront area is being expanded and extended.
Council approved $150,000 from reserves be used for the program, which will now include an outreach worker working with the security team.
A staff report says the idea is to pro-actively address some non-criminal and disruptive behaviors while community partners continue to work toward longer terms solutions around social issues like addictions, mental health, and homelessness.
“The importance of outreach in the downtown core can’t be underestimated,” says councillor Mark King. “It is absolutely, I believe, the answer to what we’ve witnessed over a fair length of time.”
The initial pilot program was set to end after four weeks but has now been extended to the fall.
“For the past three weeks the city has implemented security patrols in the areas of the volleyball, basketball courts, splash pad and heritage train and carousels on a pilot basis,” says Councillor Gary Gardiner. “This combined with the bylaw officer backup when required has provided an increased sense of security and has served as a deterrent to prevent property damage and mitigate disruptive behaviour.”
He says city police bicycle patrols have also contributed to safer spaces and streets.
“We need both,” says Gardiner.
The pilot will focus on the city’s core, waterfront and amenities weekdays from noon to midnight, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays.
A staff report says it will augment the existing Healthy Community Ambassador Program that operates from 8 am to 4 pm during the week.
“In addition to reviewing incident reports, performance measures would include Police data calls for service (before and after the pilot), positive social connections to resources, and a DIA survey to gauge the qualitative impact,” states the staff report.
Staff say where possible, measures will be monitored on an ongoing basis to adjust service and approach as needed.
A full analysis of all measurements will be undertaken, shared and reported at the end of the pilot.
