Report urges Sudbury to extend pilot project that added security guards downtown
A report headed to city council Tuesday urges councillors to extend a pilot project that added security officers downtown.
Begun in December 2020, after a COVID-19-relate delay, two security guards were added downtown on two shifts, working from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. seven days a week. The pilot is set to expire in November, and the staff report recommends extending it until Dec. 31 to allow a further review during budget time on whether it should become permanent.
It would cost $204,000 to extend it, offset by $47,000 from the province from the Ontario Cannabis Legalization Implementation Fund.
One of the advantages of the program, the report said, is the fact the guards are trained specifically on the challenges they will face downtown and have reduced the number of calls to police.
"Program staff are equipped with higher-level training and enforcement tools, offering additional options to manage security concerns on city property, thus reducing unnecessary calls for service to police," the report said.
"Finally, as part of a shared commitment for community safety, this program allows for more effective collaboration with Greater Sudbury Police Service in response to community concerns."
The added security has been used for several purposes, including at vaccination clinics, on city buses and escorting paramedics on home visits to conduct COVID-19 tests. However, the report said the biggest impact has been downtown.
"Since the launch of the program, officers have completed in excess of 2,200 focused patrols of the downtown," the report said. "And close to 1,400 patrols at the transit terminal or on board buses."
The officers have been trained to direct vulnerable people to social services, and have helped bus drivers in the city enforce mask mandates. The officers have been effective in enforcing rules considered less of a priority for police.
"More recently, security enforcement officers have taken on more regularly scheduled shifts boarding the buses," the report said.
"Through August and September officers participated in 35 rides ... On numerous occasions, in receipt of concerns from the transit supervisor, officers have been able to intercept a bus during its route or upon conclusion at a hub and have addressed concerns that would otherwise go unaddressed."
The security staff has also been used to accompany bylaw officers who make enforcement visits to residents regarding issues about bylaws.
"Where the City of Greater Sudbury has information that a resident or address may pose issue while attending a residence as part of normal service delivery, security enforcement officers have further attended to escort staff and keep the peace," the report said.
The officers have also been used in taking down homeless encampments.
"In 2021, the security officers took the lead role removing several encampments from the following locations: Center for Life, Memorial Park, Tom Davies Square Courtyard, Bridge of Nations, Nolin St. and Rotary Park," the report said.
"Furthermore, efforts are made on a daily basis to engage with the homeless population and connect them with social services. This additional service level responds to community safety and wellbeing."
Read the full report here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Attempt to have murder charge quashed against alleged serial killer dismissed by judge
A motion filed by the man accused of killing four Indigenous women in Winnipeg to have one of those murder charges quashed has been dismissed by the judge – weeks before the start of his trial.
Government proposes new policy for federally regulated employees to disconnect from work
In their 2024 budget, the federal government wants to amend the Canada Labour Code, so employers in federally regulated sectors will eliminate work-related communication with employees outside of scheduled hours. If implemented, this would affect roughly 500,000 employees across the country.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.