HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 29, 2023
Page 1 of 6
Minutes/Meeting Summary
Community Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee
June 29, 2023
Hybrid - Electronic Meeting
Main Committee Room
7:00 pm
Attendees: L. Appelbohm
C. Bamford
K. Hamilton
J. Larendowicz
D. Magagna
A. Muhammad
P. Patel
C. Paxton
A. Rizvi
M. Kenworthy
Councillor S. Butt
S. Douglas-Murray, Director, Community Services
L. Gibbs, Division Head, Culture and Community Programming
S. Milton, Manager, Recreation Services
E. Knox, Community Safety and Well Being Advisor (Staff Liaison)-
J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
A. MacGillivray, Committee Coordinator
Absent:
Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Review and Approval of Agenda
The Committee reviewed the agenda.
Agenda approved.
2. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3. Approval of Minutes
There were no meeting minutes to approve.
4. Delegations/Presentations
Page 2 of 6
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
S. Milton and E. Knox welcomed Members to the
Committee and all Members and Staff introduced
themselves.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members
regarding:
• whether there is a budget for the Committee;
and,
• clarification that any budget would be
determined after a work plan is in place.
4.1 Durham Region Community Safety & Well-
Being Plan - Next Steps for Pickering
E. Knox provided a presentation highlighting seven
priority risk factors as identified in Durham Region
Community Safety & Well-Being Plan and how that
provides the City of Pickering with a starting ground
for focus items for next steps.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members
regarding:
• clarification regarding data sources being
specifically from Durham Region;
• the Community Safety & Well-Being Plan
being mandated from changes to Police
Services Act;
• Council’s decision to approve the creation of a
Pickering-specific plan that aligns with Durham
Region’s plan;
• the 7 priority risk factors and the emerging
themes;
• whether a housing priority access list is
maintained;
• whether there are protocols and locations in
place for providing housing to those in
emergency situations; and,
• higher home insurance premiums in Pickering
due to high rates of crime.
E. Knox described the next steps in developing
Pickering’s plan, including an internal working group
of City Staff, a community survey, and targeted
outreach. She noted that the draft plan is scheduled
to be before the Committee for review in August and
then proceed to Council by September.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members
regarding:
E. Knox to confirm with the
Region the protocols around
housing priority and access.
E. Knox to provide
Pickering’s Community
Safety & Well Being draft
plan for review at the next
Committee Meeting in
August.
Page 3 of 6
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
• the City taking homelessness very seriously,
especially in the winter;
• concerns regarding the lack of care for senior
community;
• senior care being a provincial issue;
• seniors in the City not experiencing a high
level of homelessness, but rather more social
isolation;
• the need to avoid large encampments of
homelessness by addressing issues as early
as possible;
• the increasing incidences of homelessness
among youth;
• whether “wrap around” support services are
being considered to prevent recurrence of
homelessness;
• DARS, an organization based on volunteer
programming and luncheons provided for
those in transition or experiencing
homelessness;
• local churches, mosques, and synagogues
providing support through food and other
provisions; and,
• the intent to provide the Committee information
on the groups supporting the homeless.
E. Knox outlined Committees proposed Goals and
Objectives including:
• Networking & Engagement;
• Training & Education;
• Homelessness Task Force; and,
• Advocacy.
5. New Business
5.1 Terms of Reference Review
E. Knox solicited the Committee for comments or
questions regarding Terms of Reference.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members
regarding:
• whether there is value in broadening priority
risk factor number, 7. Experiences of Racism,
to include other instances of discrimination;
and,
• the Terms of Reference being based on the
Durham Region’s identified priority risk areas,
Page 4 of 6
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
and the potential to revisit the priority risk
areas once Pickering’s plan is finally
developed.
5.2 Proposed 2023 - 2024 Meeting Schedule
Moved by C. Bamford
That the Committee adopt the 2023-2024 Meeting
Schedule as presented.
Carried
5.3 Goals & Objectives Review
E. Knox opened the floor to comments regarding the
Goals & Objectives draft document.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members
regarding:
• whether there will be an opportunity for the
Committee to narrow the goals once the plan
is finalized; and,
• the Committee’s creation of a work plan to
submit to Council in May 2024.
Moved by L. Appelbohm
That the Committee approve the Committee’s Draft
Goals & Objectives.
Carried
5.4 CSWB Survey Review
E. Knox opened the floor for discussion regarding the
content of the CSWB Survey.
Discussion ensued and Committee Members
requested revisions regarding:
• whether a broader range of demographic
questions can be considered for the survey;
• concerns regarding how “wordy” the survey is;
• how other City initiatives around Anti-Black
Racism and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
will inform the CSWB plan;
• increasing targeted outreach to ensure a
variety of communities’ input is included in
research;
• ensuring wording is broadly comprehendible
and provides a feeling of trust and
confidentiality;
• providing survey in an accessible format;
The Clerks Office to send
out placeholder invites to
Committee Members.
Page 5 of 6
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
• concerns around the prize aspect of the survey
and ensuring the responses are confidential;
• clarification regarding the survey being
focused on items that are actionable by the
municipality;
• whether local crime and victimization and road
safety should be separated in the survey;
• whether a question around food security and
access to nutritious food can be incorporated
into the survey under Priority 4;
• the format of the questions in the survey and
how to best reach the communities that are
most in need;
• identifying what programs are offered, what
gaps exist, and how gaps can be addressed;
• “community kitchens” as an educational tool to
provide skills as well as social connections;
• interest in acquiring contacts and connections
for programs around kitchen and cooking
programs;
• the survey being launched electronically as
well as in person at the City’s Canada Day
event, and ensuring broad community access
to the survey;
• the age demographic categories captured in
the survey;
• whether ‘Priority 4’ – “access to General
Practitioner”, can be changed to “local access
to health services” to achieve relevant data
collection;
• whether questions will be able to identify if the
public is aware of programs and services that
are available and if they are utilizing them;
• the City’s intent to gage the public’s access to
volunteer opportunities;
• the format of ‘Priority 5, Income spent on
housing’ question; and,
• the definition of “community” and
“neighbourhood” and how the public may
perceive these terms; and,
• whether other City Committee’s will be
solicited to participate in the survey.
6. Other Business
6.1 Neighbourhood Watch
Page 6 of 6
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
C. Bamford spoke to the Neigbourhood Watch
Program and the community’s interest in this
initiative.
Discussion ensued with the Committee discussing
what is required to proceed with a Neighbourhood
Watch. S. Milton and E. Knox spoke to the need to
consult Durham Regional Police regarding the
particulars of the Neighbourhood Watch Program
before proceeding with Committee action on the
matter.
E. Knox to provide more
information regarding the
Neighbourhood Watch
Program to the next
Committee Meeting.
7. Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for August 17, 2023 at
7:00pm.
8. Adjournment
Moved by A. Muhammad
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
Meeting Adjourned: 8:55 pm