KENORA – Crimebeat – Kenora is moving forward on a number of issues relating to crime in the community. 

Kenora Community Policing Committee Minutes:

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 4:30 p.m. City Council Chambers Present: A/Chair Councillor C. Drinkwalter, Cst. D. Cain, Ralph Mosher, Trudy Cederwall, Wendy Darling, and Joanne McMillin, City Clerk. Regrets: Chair Bill Richards, Wayne Ficek, Kendall Trembath, Diane Pelletier.

A. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest & the General Nature Thereof i) On today’s Agenda; ii) From a Meeting at which a Member was not in attendance. There were none declared.

B. Confirmation of Minutes Moved by D. Cain, Seconded by T. Cederwall, and Carried:- That the Minutes of the last regular meeting of the Kenora Community Policing Committee held Tuesday, November 20, 2012 be confirmed as written and circulated.

C. Deputations N/A 1. Receipt of Correspondence N/A 2. OPP Community Services Officer Reports Community Safety Week across the Province Dave mentioned that during a week in March (dates to be determined); the Kenora Detachment will be hosting a number of community events relating to public safety; typically communicated through the schools. Topics will include Facebook, securing homes and property, the internet, street safety and general discussion for those seeking some knowledge and to generate discussion. Organizations and groups are being encouraged to come forward with other topics or concerns. Dave mentioned he would like to see this become a monthly meeting and/or to hold regular ‘Town Hall’ type meetings for these purposes.

Neighbourhood Watch Program:

Dave advised OPP is receiving more calls as a result of this program and he indicated the public should be using the toll-free number for concerns and not 911 unless it is an emergency situation.

The toll free number that can be called for issues under Neighbourhood Watch is: 1-888-310-1122; or 548-5534 (select # 2) may also be used for this program.

It was discussed these numbers should be shared and communicated out to the public so they know the protocol and what number(s) to call. A suggestion was made to have the phone numbers drafted onto a flat type fridge magnet and handed out at the Home Show.

It was mentioned the Annual Home Show will be held the first weekend in May. 3.

Other Safety Concern – St. Louis School Trudy advised St. Louis School Council will be sending a letter to this Committee as well as to City officials regarding their long-standing concern to keep kids safe for bus/car drop-off/pick-up.

St. Louis has looked at alternatives on site to alleviate potential hazards but may have to look at other options such as a request for making their street one way. It is the only school that does not have an off-street designated bus loading area.

Keewatin Public School – Traffic Issue Councillor Drinkwalter asked about an update on what if anything has happened at the Keewatin Public School intersection for students walking/crossing; and that there had been previous discussions by this Committee on the possibility of making this area a community safety zone. Trudy wondered about the possibility of a courtesy pedestrian crossing at that location similar to what is now on Main Street by the Library. Joanne advised she will follow-up with Operations Manager Rick Perchuk, specifically as a result of the recent school surveys that were completed and turned over to his Department in an attempt to make for safe walking conditions for the students of both Keewatin schools.

Coalition of Seniors Ralph gave an update on the Coalition and its mandate which focuses on medical issues, long term care issues, doctors’ shortages and seniors’ health concerns. Their mission is to provide a collective supportive voice for community seniors. Ralph also noted Kenora will be hosting the Senior 1A games in Kenora this year.

4. Next Meeting Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. – Council Chambers 5. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.