Regina council approves funding for downtown Community Support Team
A program meant to help address downtown safety and security spurred by a review of "unwanted guests" was one topic of Thursday's special meeting of Regina city council.
The Community Support Program is spearheaded by the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District (RDBID) and launched in June on a pilot basis.
Council voted unanimously in favour of the ask to approve a $200,000 one-time grant to support the program into 2022.
A submission to council from RDBID Executive Director Judith Veresuk said this program is the answer to a previous "piecemeal approach" to safety issues downtown like giving input to the Regina Police Service (RPS) on the Unwanted Guests bylaw, providing training and advocating for better lighting in Victoria Park.
"Each effort we made was important, however each effort seemed disconnected from the next," Veresuk said in her submission.
The submission goes on to detail how the program is modelled after a similar one in Saskatoon and a list of some of the early success it's seen, including:
- Picking up more than 200 needles.
- Distributing water and snacks to those in need.
- Deescalating multiple altercations in Victoria Park, reducing the need for a police response.
"We are pleased with the progress the team has made over the past summer," Veresuk writes. "Heading into a very cold winter, our team will continue to be present and available for our most vulnerable populations."
WHAT IS 'THE UNWANTED GUESTS BYLAW'?
According to the administration report before council Thursday, the Unwanted Guests Bylaw refers to an initiative implemented in 2015 by RPS to address "disruptive conduct" happening at businesses. Under this, tickets can be issued to people who repeatedly go back to a business after being issued a ban.
Council instructed administration in 2020 to put the initiative under review, leading to the development of the Community Support Team.
The report said through consultations with various groups including RDBID, the Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry and more, concerns were raised the policy "contributes to criminalizing homelessness and addictions and reinforces stigma and discrimination already faced by the predominantly racialized and poor individuals who received a ban or tickets."
RPS was also involved in the process that administration said has resulted in changes to the way police respond to trespassing issues.
"Recent changes made to the enforcement of the initiative are showing a decline in the number of calls to police," reads the administration report. "Ongoing commitment to increasing support for alternative approaches for response can lessen the potential negative implications of this initiative on vulnerable populations within Regina."
The items before council during the special meeting starting at 1 p.m. have been recommended for approval.
Along with the Community Support Team and unwanted guests, councillors also discussed a proposed Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.
The plan explores longer-term strategies to address several issues facing the city including “problematic substance use”, food insecurity and racism. It’s recommended for approval at a cost of $1.375 million in 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.