Hamilton’s new police chief says the City of Hamilton should
pursue business development strategies focused on bringing innovative stores,
restaurants and businesses to the downtown core and relocating social services
away from the downtown.
Chief Glen De Caire made his comments in an eight page
report and brief verbal summary to his first Hamilton Police Services Board
meeting, Monday.
The report came in response to a board request for details
on what police can or can not do to deal with panhandlers and the perception of
crime in the downtown core.
“There is a challenge for the service as we are trying to
balance the right of people to be in the public space,” De Caire said. “We do
require the city’s support in putting together a strategy.”
He said the public perception of crime in the downtown is
not backed up by actual crime statistics, and noted several efforts – including
changes in officer deployment, adding security cameras, and adding mounted
police – the service has pursued in the core.
The chief called on city councillors and social service
groups to work with police to change an unrealistic perception of the core as
dangerous.
“City council needs to consider the root causes of many
issues in the core,” De Caire wrote in the report. “Some of these are support
services being condensed in one area; land use that supports low-income housing
rather than hotels, businesses or condominiums in the core; allowing buildings
to be boarded for extended periods.”
He said police have a role to play, but can only arrest
panhandlers who are “aggressive” under The Safe Streets Act. People must
actually threaten physical harm, obstruct someone’s path, use abusive language,
be intoxicated, follow another person, or solicit near an ATM machine for
panhandling to be illegal.
“It is very difficult to see that level of aggression,” De
Caire said, explaining that poses a problem for police doing anything.
Instead, he said a joint effort is needed to address the
root causes of the public’s perception of downtown which includes parole and
halfway houses, shelters, food banks, lodging homes and methadone clinics in
the core.
“In our opinion, there are too many shelters and services in
such a small geographic area and in very close proximity to the downtown core,”
De Caire wrote in his report. “The result is the persons who require these
services live, stay and frequent the downtown core.”
According to the report, this problem is made worse by
businesses that cater to that clientele, including bargain stores, second hand
stores, bingo halls and adult entertainment.
“Moreover, the presence of short and long standing boarded
up buildings, such as the Connaught and Lister Block, also has an impact on the
public safety perceptions.
He said the police welcome an opportunity to meet with the
city and stakeholders to work on short-term and long-term solutions.
Mayor Fred Eisenberger said he would refer De Caire’s report
to city manager Chris Murray for further action.
