HomeMy WebLinkAboutCL 40/99t" OF p
�O
REPORT TO COUNCIL
047
FROM: Bruce Taylor, AMCT, CMM DATE: October 14, 1999
Town Clerk
REPORT NUMBER: CL 40/99
SUBJECT: Bike Patrol
RECOMMENDATION:
That Clerk's Report CL 40/99 regarding the Bike Patrol be received; and
That Council recognize the Bike Patrol as a regular program offered by the By -law Enforcement
Services Division, in cooperation with the Durham Region Police Service and Toronto and
Region Conservation Authority, during the period from Victoria Day to the second week in
September.
ORIGIN: Pilot Project undertaken in July, 1999
AUTHORITY: Municipal Act
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
In 1999, there was a cost to the Town through overtime payments to staff because this
Pilot Project was not a scheduled work program. In the Year 2000, 1 have allocated a
provision for an additional Municipal Law Enforcement Officer whose duties will include
the Bike Patrol.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
As a Pilot Project, the Town carried out a Bike Patrol of parks and other public lands in
cooperation with the Police and TRCA. This Bike Patrol started on July 21st and ended at the
end of September. It was deemed to be successful and a recommendation is being made that the
Bike Patrol become part of the work assignment of the By -law Enforcement Services Division
during the summer period.
BACKGROUND:
Over the years, the Town has been receiving an increasing number of complaints from residents
about activities in Town parks and other public lands that are either inappropriate, illegal or create
unsafe situations. Part of this problem was addressed when Council enacted By -law Number
5495/99 on May 17, 1999 to regulate activities in the Town's parks and to repeal the Parks By-
law that was passed in 1970. Although By -law 5495/99 established modem rules for behavious in
Town parks, the issue of enforcing this By -law effectively remained. The biggest problem faced
by the Municipal Law Enforcement Officers was to get to a park promptly when a complaint was
received and to walk into the park and observe the illegal activity being performed.
..../2
043 -2-
In the early summer, the Fairport Beach Ratepayers Association experienced problems with
rowdy youths in the TRCA lands at the west end of Park Crescent and offered to contribute
towards the cost of purchasing a bicycle if the Town established a Bike Patrol to allow a
Municipal Law Enforcement Officer to ride through the Town parks on a regular basis. Bay
Cycle Sports also offered to contribute to the cost of purchasing a bicycle. The cost of the bicycle
and accessories was approximately $1,400.
After meeting with the Durham Region Police Service who already had established a Bike Patrol
and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority who were investigating the feasibility of
establishing a Bike Patrol, a strategy was formulated to undertake a pilot project of having a Bike
Patrol on a cooperative basis amongst the three agencies. The Police are a major partner in the
Bike Patrol because they are able to enforce the Criminal Code and require violators to identify
themselves. The TRCA is also a major partner because many of the complaints relate to their
lands along the waterfront or Petticoat Creek Park.
The Pilot Project was launched on July 21st at a public ceremony at the Waterfront Bistro. The
press reported positively on the Project and the feedback that was received from the public was
also very positive.
A Municipal Law Enforcement Officer patrolled various parks where we received a high level of
complaints four times each week; sometimes accompanied by a Police Officer. During these
patrols, the Officers distributed a pamphlet to the patrons of the parks advising of the Bike Patrol
and setting out activities that will not be permitted. The park patrons, including youths, were
given a pamphlet and the Officers took the time to explain the Project more fully when requested.
The feedback from all park patrons was very positive and many people expressed the hope that
the Project will be continued in future years. A copy of that pamphlet is attached to this Report
for your information.
In summary, the appearance of a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer and/or a Police Officer in
the parks and other public lands created a positive reaction from the public. 1 would strongly
recommend that Council recognize the Bilce Patrol as a regular program offered by the By -law
Enforcement Division from Vactoria Day in May to the second week in September.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Pamphlet explaining the Bike Patrol
Prepared
Bruce Taylor, AMCT, CMM
Town Clerk
Attachments
Recommended for the consideration of
Pickering To ou it
Chief Administrative Officer
ti
r.:
tW F�
OF
AZ
r
Pickering Town Council recently
approved By -Law 5495/99 which is
designed to protect and control all
i public parks and open spaces in the
Town of Pickering.
Under the Bike Patrol program we will
establish parameters of behavior
deemed unacceptable in our parks.
Tickets could be issued to those
r individuals who are In contravention of
the By -Law or Provincial offenses in
the areas of, but not restricted to:
Trespassing
Mischief
Liquor offenses
Any other criminal offenses
Protecting our Parks and
making our Community Safe!
ATTACHMENT # To IiEFwo A 0pr