Edition 2: Keeping our Streets Clean & Safe

Last autumn, a group of concerned business owners and community members from the downtown area convened with key local leaders, including Mayor Paterson, Councillors Greg Ridge and Connie Glenn, and Acting Deputy Chief Funnel. The primary focus of the meeting was the growing negative activity in the downtown core. Attendees expressed their deep frustrations over the lack of resources dedicated to addressing prevalent issues such as mental health and addiction challenges, overnight camping in vestibules, open drug use, and crime. Many individuals courageously shared personal and professional experiences, revealing feelings of powerlessness and vulnerability. These pressing concerns were further compounded by human resource challenges, as participants voiced their difficulties in providing a safe work environment for their employees and the subsequent impact on staff retention.

Following that pivotal meeting, the community's concerns were not left unaddressed. A multitude of initiatives and projects have since been implemented to tackle the issues raised. These efforts showcase a collective commitment to creating a safer, more welcoming environment for everyone in the community, driving positive change. The previous blog on this topic outlined the heightened, reliable presence of enforcement to support our members, property and business owners when they find themselves in situations that are beyond their comfort level. The unique combination of mental health and addictions support and enforcement at two levels (bylaw, police) that Boots on the Ground offers is beginning to make a big difference downtown and the stats above prove it.

Let me walk your through what you are seeing in the graph above:

1. Crime totals from 2022 (pink) and 2023 (blue) are pretty much stable from January to April, with the exception of a bit of an increase in crime in March of 2022. 
2. Crime totals from 2024 (purple) are also somewhat stable from January through to April and inline with the previous two years.
3. In May, 2022 and 2023 stats increase significantly as we move into summer months.
4. 2024 totals stay stable in May through to July and in some instances drop below the  months - creating a noticeable year-over-year drop in reported crime.
5. The yellow line across the top of the graph tracks Welcoming Streets interactions. Notice that interactions begin to climb in May as well.

1. • The Community Standards Bylaw came into effect and as a result two bylaw officers were assigned to downtown core. 
   • The Downtown Foot Patrol Pilot began, assigning one dedicated foot patrol Police Officer to the downtown core, who is backed up by our liaison officer, effectively providing more than 1 police officer to concentrate on the streets.
   • Welcoming Streets was able to hire a part time steward to work out of the BIA office with our full time steward. They work with an AMHS Outreach Support Steward. This allowed us to offer Welcoming Streets services 7 days a week.
   • We now have 7 professionals that are supporting our business community, our visitors, residents and the vulnerable on our streets. 

The stats clearly show that Boots on the Ground is succeeding at:

1. Increasing Welcoming Streets interactions with vulnerable members of our community which, in turn connects them to appropriate resources
2. Reducing the need for police intervention when dealing with situations that are not crime-related.
3. Developing a community in the downtown core that feels supported and in control
4. Deploying the right professionals to the right situations
5. Reducing crime in our busiest season.

I will continue to advocate for these programs and this level of support to continue beyond the pilot programs. I encourage you all to familiarize yourselves and your staff with Welcoming Streets so that you are prepared when you find yourself in a situation that is beyond your comfort level. Our stewards will work with you to find the best way to get the information needed into your hands.