THUNDER BAY – A meeting on community safety revealed deep divisions among city councillors on how to tackle issues like homelessness, drug use, and crime.
Coun. Aldo Ruberto requested the meeting after a shooting on Dease Street in October. He says he’s heard growing concerns at community meetings and in talks with business owners.
The meeting brought together about a dozen high-level civil servants to answer questions from councillors. That included representatives from the Crime Prevention Council, District Health Unit, and Drug Strategy, as well as Police Chief Sylvie Hauth and acting Fire Chief Greg Hankkio.
Councillors quizzed them on a variety of concerns, from drug houses and home invasion to broken street lights.
Mayor Bill Mauro said the scale of the problems in the city is “unprecedented.” He described being shown a growing “tent city” in an area near Confederation College by Neebing Coun. Cody Fraser.
“There are areas of the city where people feel like they’re just losing their neighbourhood,” he said. Several councillors, including Peng You, Albert Aiello, and Brian McKinnon echoed those concerns.
Civil servants at times struggled to answer broad questions about how to reduce crime in the city. “I don’t know if I have a magic solution,” Hauth responded at one point to general concerns over shoplifting from Coun. Peng You.
Ruberto suggested forming a committee to conduct further study and determine actions that could be undertaken collaboratively.
Northwood Coun. Shelby Ch’ng was visibly frustrated with the conversation. “I don’t know what this meeting’s for, to be totally honest,” she told the group. “We all know we need more funding for mental health – another committee won’t help.”
Ch’ng also raised concerns, echoed by some civil servants in the room, that the discussion was stigmatizing those who need help. Crime prevention council coordinator Lee-Ann Chevrette urged the council to be conscious of its language after Coun. You said the city should “take care of good people and fight bad people.”
Several councillors focused on law enforcement efforts such as increased monitoring of suspected drug houses, clearing brush for higher visibility in problem areas, and the possibility of locating a police station in a downtown core. Hauth said any additional measures would require more funding or a reduction in existing services.
Coun. Andrew Foulds said our society may spend too much on police, and not enough on social supports to address the problems “upstream.” He conveyed his hopes that new shelters being built in the city would be a “game changer.”
The meeting adjourned without a concrete plan for next steps. Ruberto was satisfied with the meeting, saying several councillors came forward with good ideas.
