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The City of Amherstburg is strengthening security at its Community Center, where agencies serve youth and vulnerable populations for security concerns including vandalism, burglary and harassment.
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The problems began in July when the city temporarily relocated a skate park on the property. The park was removed in November after city officials learned of the safety concerns.
“It’s a difficult discussion because, of course, we are not saying that all these park users were causing problems,” Mayor Aldo DiCarlo said Tuesday. “But as with everything, it doesn’t take that many people to ruin everyone else. There are many older adults there, many young people there. And discovering people hiding in the bathrooms can be a bit scary. “
On Monday, the city council approved a one-time “emergency expense” of $ 36,000 to cover the cost of security cameras, electronic door access and lighting upgrades. The money will also go to put customer service personnel on site for two months, to keep track of who’s coming and going, until a more permanent solution is worked out.
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“The biggest problem is that it is a good-sized building with a number of users and groups,” DiCarlo said. “It’s difficult for people to keep track of who is with which group in which part of the building.”
The council also decided Monday to permanently relocate the skate park to the Book Credit Union Center.
Amherstburg Community Hub tenants include Fighting Island Boxing Club, Verdi Club, Amherstburg Community Services, House of Shalom Youth Center, and Essex County Nurse Practitioner-Run Clinic.
Representatives of the organizations met with Windsor police and city administration in November to discuss “a high degree of concern” about safety, according to a report from city staff.
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The report notes that since the skate park was temporarily relocated to downtown Richmond Street in July, there have been numerous complaints about “illegal activities,” including people setting fire, smashing bottles against the building, and deflating car tires in the building. parking lot.
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There has also been damage to the HVAC units on the roof, doors have been kicked in, and the property has been vandalized.
“There have been documented accounts of youth showing aggressive and intimidating tendencies toward staff and clients who attend the HUB,” the report says. “People were found hiding in the bathrooms, following staff, making derogatory comments and exhibiting harassing behavior. This has escalated to a point where tenants and their clients no longer feel safe attending work or facilities. Immediate action was needed to try to help. “
Reference-windsorstar.com