Mr. Angelo Filoso, Chair, Neighbourhood Alert Committee, distributed copies of their presentation notes and introduced other committee members in attendance, beginning with Mr. Dave Seaborn.

Mr. Seaborn spoke about the success they have achieved in the last 16 months. He indicated that 4 years ago, there had been a significant problem with prostitution on the corners along Gladstone Avenue. He also noted this problem was accompanied by needles being discarded throughout the neighbourhood. He stated the problem, although not completely solved, has greatly improved and he attributed this to the work of Neighbourhood Alert and to community policing.

Though there are still drug dealers operating in the community, primarily out of bars and restaurants, Mr. Seaborn explained the community has used zoning regulations, property standards and noise complaints to make it difficult for new establishments to open in the area. He indicated the community also initiated continued inspections by property standards, fire, health and liquor license inspectors. Although these measures have worked to an extent, he maintained zoning tools are not the right tools to deal with the problem of illegal drugs. He appreciated the participation of the police in addressing the issue, but the problem remains, primarily in those establishments that have been open for a number of years.

Mr. J. Dorner, Principal, St. Anthony’s School, indicated that upon his arrival at St. Anthony’s in September of last year, he heard about the children’s desire to have a neighbourhood of which they could be proud. They wanted a school yard with trees and shade, and a safe and healthy environment. He attested to witnessing some very positive changes in the past year.

Mr. Dorner explained some of the problems occurring adjacent to or on the school property. In terms of the drug problem, he spoke of people coming in off the streets and smoking up in the school’s washrooms, and of syringes being discarded in the school yard. He also stated break and enters, theft and prostitution are significant problems. As well, speeding and high traffic volumes on adjacent streets are a concern as there is no cross-walk at Booth and Willow to allow the children to cross safely.

Mr. Dorner indicated that a lot of work has been done towards addressing some of these problems. Trees have been planted in the school yard and on city-side property along the school yard fences to provide a sense of safety. Some of the children living in the area are part of the "Willow Street Angels" and they have been working towards reclaiming the community with the help and guidance of adults. The school has incorporated a controlled access entry system so that only those who have reason to be there can access the school. School officials, along with Neighbourhood Alert and elected representatives, have been exploring safe school zones and continue to have contact with a School Resource Officer and with other programs for kids such as the St. Anthony’s / Cambridge after school project.

Mr. Dorner expressed a need for systematic and regular consultation with the police through the Neighbourhood Alert Committee. He indicated the Committee has discussed possible solutions such as foot and bicycle beats so that there’s an increase in police visibility, and so the police become known to the community. He also expressed a desire to have a sense of strict enforcement of serious crimes as well as innocuous crimes in the immediate vicinity of schools.

In terms of traffic enforcement, Mr. Dorner indicated two children have been hit by cars at Booth and Willow in the past year and the committee has been pursuing the possibility of having a pedestrian activated signal installed at that location.

Mr. P. Mutut re-iterated the previous speakers’ comments with regard to the improvements that have taken place in recent years. He indicated he lives in close proximity to a dance bar and problems arise there on a weekly basis. Residents are subjected to such things as late-night brawls, shouting and verbal abuse. He requested an increased police visibility, particularly around the time the bars close. He stressed the ultimate goal is to turn the community into a neighbourhood rather than allowing it to fall into a "ghetto" state.

Ms. B. Ragace stated she lives in the middle of drugs. Though she acknowledged the improvements that have occurred recently, she compared the problems to a revolving door. The community gets rid of one problem group only to find another has moved in. Ms. Ragace understood that the police can’t be there all the time but members of the community are willing to be the eyes and ears for the police. She expressed a need to create a sense of safety for the residents, and particularly the children in the community. She believed the community needs a stronger police visibility. She maintained effective crime control depends on a working partnership between the police and the community and this is a community willing to put in its 50%.

Mr. C. André stated he recently moved back to Centre-town after living in Winchester for several years. He proposed running a neighbourhood "business and community patrol". He indicated that while living in Winchester, he and other members of the community participated in a neighbourhood patrol program where area businesses provided funding to allow citizens to patrol the village in cars. There were two people in each vehicle, equipped with binoculars, a light for flashing through business windows, and a cellular phone to call the police. The objective was not to get involved, but to simply be the eyes and ears for the police. As a result of this program, people felt more secure, they became less apathetic, and became better informed about when to call the police and how to make a formal complaint. He believed such a program can be an asset to the police and can help residents feel better about their community.

Mr. A. Filoso listed some of the major achievements of Neighbourhood Alert:

On behalf of the Neighbourhood Alert Committee, Mr. Filoso put forward a number of recommendations:

Member Baskerville indicated the Toronto Police Service was having success with foot patrols in the Regent’s Park area. He suggested the Chief make a formal request to Toronto to get information on how their program operates. He also noted the Ottawa-Carleton Police have foot patrols in the market area and he thought comparisons could be made between the two areas to see how something similar could be initiated.

Councillor D. Holmes stated generally the neighbourhood wishes to see more police officers on foot and on bicycles at those difficult times in the evening when the bars let out. The community also wants to commend the police for the work that has been on-going. The compliance committee mentioned by Mr. Filoso involves five City branches as well as the Regional Health Department and the Regional Police. The cooperation between those agencies has been very helpful. She indicated the community wishes to see that continue and would like to thank the Service for its involvement and the officers involved for their time and effort. However, she re-iterated the Committee’s desire to see more officers in their community. With respect to the recommendations put forward by Mr. Filoso, she indicated the community expects to receive comments from the Chief or the Board on how to move forward.

Chair Vice noted everyone wants more police visibility, a stronger police presence and more foot patrol. In light of the budget constraints faced by the Police Service, Regional Council and other levels of government, he wondered how residents felt about a reduction in the police budget. Mr. Filoso indicated Neighbourhood Alert had been contemplating hiring private security guards in order to take care of some of the immediate problems in the community, therefore, he did not believe residents in his community would be opposed to paying a few extra dollars for policing.

Councillor Holmes indicated Council is hoping there will be an increase in the amount of money that comes to the Region as a result of the provincial offences fines, and that those funds would allow the Police Service to hire more officers.

With respect to costs, Mr. Dorner believed it should be viewed as paying now for long term benefits. He felt it is part of society’s responsibility to determine what is sufficient to ensure a safe community. Whatever funds are available, he stressed the importance of having a police service in which the police work in partnership with the public.

D. Seaborn also stated he did not believe their community would mind paying a few dollars more for policing. He stressed the importance of not cutting street-level policing.

Vice Chair Kreling suggested referring the recommendations to the Chief so that an adequate consideration of all the matters can be provided to the community and the Board. However, he requested clarification on items 3 and 4 of the recommendations. With respect to recommendation 3 which pertains to a community police centre in the vicinity of the community in question, Deputy Chief Mackie stated the community police centre at Bank and Gladstone is in that district and is headed by Inspector Smith. With respect to recommendation 4 which speaks to a higher than average vacancy rate in the community in question, Deputy Chief Mackie indicated that although he was not sure of the current figures, it was not 11% as of January 17th. Chief Ford added the over-all vacancy rate is not 6% but 3.6%.

In response to further comments from Mr. Filoso with regard to the community police centre, Deputy Chief Mackie acknowledged there are two Inspectors working out of one community police centre, but emphasized the centre on Bank Street serves both parts of the district. He noted a community police centre in the Preston/Willow has always been an issue but establishing one would depend on an analysis of calls for service and other factors.

Member Buckingham noted the work that has already gone on between this community and the Police Service. She wondered how that would change upon implementing community policing in January. Deputy Chief Mackie explained what will change is the ability of the District Inspector to look at particular community concerns and target them for enforcement. It will provide a more definitive analysis of crime patterns and allow residents to feel safer within their community. He believed relationships with community groups like Neighbourhood Alert would be key to the implementation of district policing.

Chair Chiarelli commended the committee for showing such leadership in trying to improve their community.

Chair Vice indicated the Board will have staff report back on the recommendations put forward by the committee. He thank the committee, stating that although he does not live in the community, he knows it well and he knows the problems the committee has faced and the work it has done. He noted there is a lot more work to be done and was hopeful the partnership would be continued.

That the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Services Board receive this for information and discussion.

RECEIVED

2. TABLING OF THE 1999 DRAFT BUDGET ESTIMATES

Deputy Chief Mackie began the staff presentation by stating this budget puts the Police Service in a position to begin a very aggressive implementation plan in 1999 to achieve its long term strategic goals. The budget meets the expenditure target set by the Board and provides the resources to take the Service to the next stage in its implementation of district policing. The Deputy Chief thanked the members of the Service who worked as a team to put together this budget.

He noted the draft budget reflects the costs required to meet the operational policing and capital requirements of the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Service in the next year and beyond. He also noted the budget is made up primarily of human resource costs.

Deputy Chief Mackie gave an overview of some of the major changes planned for 1999. He explained the Service is moving towards district policing effective 17 January 1999. By pushing authority down to the district and neighbourhood level, members of the Service will be able to work closely with the community to address problems within neighbourhoods, from traffic complaints to crime prevention. There will be 16 policing districts, with local accountability given to District Inspectors and their personnel.

As an example of the new district policing model, Deputy Chief Mackie introduced the future District 24, which will have approximately 50 officers working under the leadership of Inspector Lynda Smith. Inspector Smith will be supported by two staff sergeants, Les Bowie and Ron Laverty. The district will have sergeants and constables working on everything from emergency response to general investigation to neighbourhood officers. All districts will be supported by members of specialty and centralized sections such as break and enter, major crime, tactical and victim assistance 24 hours a day to ensure the highest quality of service to members of the community.

Deputy Chief Mackie also noted the final phase-in date for the remaining municipalities policed by the OPP is set for July 5, 1999. On this date, responsibility for policing Goulbourn, Kanata and West Carleton will be assumed by the Ottawa-Carleton Police. This final transition is in accordance with the plan approved by the Board in July 1996 and will successfully conclude four years of transition activities.

He provided an overview of other initiatives that are supported by the budget such as the accommodations plan, best practices, training and the information technology program.

He noted last year 269,000 calls for service were received by the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Service (OCRPS). Of those, 188,300 resulted in an officer being dispatched. Many of these calls do not require immediate police response, yet they tie up a significant amount of police resources which are then not available do engage in other activities such as problem-solving. In order to effectively implement problem-oriented policing (POP), the Service must reduce the number of calls dispatched to front-line officers. These calls currently account for about 70 per cent of calls received by the OCRPS. The Service will be introducing new approaches early in 1999 with the goal of reducing these calls by 20% in the first year.

Crime analysis is another crucial component of the new service delivery model. It will be performed at the district level to ensure more information and analytical support are provided to the front-line to assist in problem identification.

Deputy Chief Mackie stated the Police Service will attempt to work even more closely with the community to resolve problems. Problem-oriented policing will provide a more effective response to repetitive crime and disorder problems. A balance will be achieved between reactive policing and a commitment to proactive and preventive strategies.

S. Kanellakos, Director General, noted some of the budget highlights. He indicated the total expenditures are $124.7M with direct revenues accounting for $11.2M, leaving $113.5M to come from taxation and payments in lieu of taxes. He noted the budget provides for the maintenance of core operational functions as the Service moves towards implementing the Provincial Adequacy Standards. It provides for: the implementation of district policing; all collective agreement obligations; new technology operations and investments to support police operations; the crime analysis function, which will be a backbone of the new district model; increased requirements for the drug section due to the withdrawal of the OPP; start-up costs of a community partnership - a facility for a sexual assault/child abuse section involving one of the hospitals as well as the Children’s Aid Society; increased funding for vehicle replacement in accordance with a 1997 study on rate of replacement; and debt charge obligations as they are starting to impact on the operating budget. He stated as part of this budget, staff are making a number of recommendations pertaining to a comprehensive pay-as-you-go program to get the Service out of the vicious cycle of issuing debt for capital projects.

He stated the budget books distributed this evening were finalized three weeks ago. The main components of those estimates are based on $6.8M of additional pressures, offset by $4.2M of payments-in-lieu of taxes and $900,00 of assessment-based revenue, bringing the Service to its net impact of $1.7M above the 1998 budget. Since then however, things have been changing rapidly and the proposal has been revised accordingly.

He noted the pressures have remained the same. In addition to those noted above, they include: a review of the property and quarter master stores; technology operations, primarily related to the new computer aided dispatch and records management infrastructure being installed, and maintenance for the telecommunications equipment; facilities, which is a function contracted to the Region for the upkeep of the Service’s buildings; the last year of the OPP phase-in; and the OPP staff increase which was previously approved by the Board.

Due to new provincial proposals that affect the payments-in-lieu, the budget has been adjusted. The recalculation of the payment-in-lieu of taxes to be attributed to the Police Service has been reduced to $3.5M. The Region is assuming there will not be any assessment based revenue after appeals and the Service is picking up about $200,000 in debenture charges. The revised scenario adds $1.8M worth of additional expenses.

However, he believed OMERS would soon be announcing an extension to the current contributions holiday, bringing a value of $3.8M to the Police Service operating budget. Therefore, he proposed putting $1.8M of that savings towards offsetting the changes in the payment-in-lieu of taxes, the debenture charge and the assessment based revenue to bring the Service back to its $1.7M target. He suggested the other $2M savings from the OMERS contributions holiday be put towards pay-as-you-go contributions which will ensure that by the year 2001 the Service will no longer rely on debt financing to pay for capital projects.

Mr. Kanellakos turned his attention to the capital workplan, noting its requirements have dropped significantly this year and will level out in the year 2000. He explained the bulk of the capital workplan will be going towards vehicles, which account for 47.7%, with buildings taking up another large piece at 32.3%. Information technology and OPP start-up costs are the smallest components accounting for the remaining 20%.

He then provided an overview of the workplan authority noting the Service has budgeted $3.2M for its facility acquisition plan. The accommodation master plan will require $4.6M and the facility workplan $1M. The information technology upgrade is budgeted at $800,000, the telecommunications upgrade accounts for $600,000 and the crime analysis start-up costs are $300,000. Vehicle replacement, a provision that allows the Service to replace approximately 40 marked vehicles, 40 unmarked vehicles and a few specialized vehicles will cost approximately $1.5M. Finally, the OPP unification start-up costs will require $1.3M for this final year of transition.

In closing, Mr. Kanellakos recapped the budget approval process. The Region will be tabling its budgets at Council on 25 November. The Board is scheduled to hear public delegations and ask questions of staff on 7 December, with the final review and approval scheduled for 21 December.

Questions

Member Baskerville requested confirmation with respect to the number of sworn officers in the Service and the ability to provide enough funding within the 1999 budget to fill the entire authorized complement. He also had questions with regard to the vacancy rate.

S. Kanellakos confirmed the total complement, including senior officers, is 1,040 and there are sufficient funds budgeted to fill all vacancies. With respect to the vacancy rate, he explained the Service is anticipating its vacancy rate to be comparable to 1998, which was a total of approximately 40 positions. He added the Service has submitted a grant proposal to the provincial government under the Community Partners Grant Program for 12 new officers and if approved, that will keep staffing levels equal to the current level. In response to a further question from Member Baskerville with respect to the Service’s ability to fund additional officers for the last phase of the OPP transition, Mr. Kanellakos confirmed the Service has sufficient funding to recruit officers and staff those additional positions.

In response to questions from Member Buckingham, Mr. Kanellakos confirmed that should the federal government announce that they will follow the same rules as any business with regard to payments-in-lieu, the Police Service’s budget shortfall would climb to $3.5M. He re-iterated however that the Board has options with respect to the use of the $3.8M savings from the OMERS contributions.

In response to further questions from Member Buckingham with respect to the pension contribution reduction, Mr. Kanellakos explained the latest information is that the contribution holiday will be extended for three years after which contributions will be phased back in.

Member Buckingham agreed with the prudence of pay-as-you-go contributions to enable the self-financing of capital projects. However, she wondered where the Service would find the funding for its pay-as-you-go contributions once the OMERS contributions are re-instated. Ms. Frazer indicated the funds allocated to pay-as-you-go contributions remain in the Service’s budget base therefore, once the OMERS contributions recommence, staff might be able to reduce the pay-as-you-go contributions or amend capital financing.

Vice Chair Kreling requested an update on the negotiations with the province with respect to the provincial offences fines. S. Kanellakos indicated that Mr. D. Cameron who is Acting Deputy CAO of the Region is taking the lead on that issue. Mr. D. Wilson, Solicitor, RMOC Legal Department, confirmed negotiations are moving along although he could not provide information as to when they might be completed and funds forthcoming.

In response to questions from Chair Vice, Mr. Wilson cautioned against regarding the transfer of provincial offence fines as a "fait accompli" until such time as the Region actually begins receiving these funds. He believed there was an outstanding issue with regard to the local arrangement between the Region and the area municipalities.

Vice Chair Kreling requested that staff provide the Board with an update with respect to the courts and the fines. S. Kanellakos indicated that following direction from Regional staff, Police Service staff have anticipated those revenues in the 1999 budget and will endeavour to provide an update at the next meeting. Vice Chair Kreling stressed the need to impress upon the province the need for these proposed legislative changes because it has a direct impact on the Service’s revenues and the affordability of certain services.

Chair Vice wondered if the administrative changes that would be required had been factored into the budget as well. S. Kanellakos confirmed they had been taken into consideration. He noted the Region has taken the lead role in terms of the administration that would occur, therefore the revenues forecasted in the Service’s budget estimates reflect the net amount that would be coming back to the Police Budget.

That the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Services Board receive and table the 1999 Draft Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Service Budget Estimates.

CARRIED

3. APPROVAL OF 1999 BUDGET REVIEW SCHEDULE

-Board Executive Director’s report dated 13 Nov 98

That the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Services Board approve the following schedule of meetings for its review of the 1999 Police Service Budget:

4. ANNUAL REPORT ON BOARD DISCRETIONARY FUNDING

- Board Executive Director’s report dated 13 Nov 98

RECEIVED

5. AWARD OF TENDER FOR MARKED POLICE VEHICLES

- Director General’s report dated 17 Nov 98

Member Buckingham wondered, on average, how many vehicles per year are destroyed as a result of accidents. She was concerned that under the current contract the Service is not buying enough vehicles to meet its needs. D. Frazer indicated that with the fleet management information system, the Service is now starting to track the numbers. She estimated the Service writes off an average of three vehicles per year. She noted that this year’s capital budget includes an increase for vehicle replacement with the goal of moving the Service closer to a three year replacement cycle for marked vehicles as opposed to the current four year replacement cycle. She explained the objective is to start reducing the replacement cycle in order to reduce the upkeep costs that are going into the operational budget. Staff have opted to phase-in this process by increasing the vehicle replacement component of the capital budget by $250,000 per year over a four year period.

Member Buckingham noted the increase to this year’s vehicle replacement budget is only 10% higher than last year’s. She wondered if this was due to the need to replace OPP vehicles for the final phase of the transition and whether the number would increase more significantly next year. D. Frazer explained the Regional Police Service came in with very low vehicle replacement reserves. She believed an increase of 10 or 12 marked vehicles per year for the next five years would rectify the situation. She noted the unmarked fleet generally operates on a four year replacement cycle. She estimated it would take three to four years to achieve the economic goals that staff feel are appropriate for the fleet. She added, to achieve economies on the unmarked side of the fleet, the Service has been purchasing gently used vehicles at a local vehicle auction.

Vice Chair Kreling recalled discussions with regard to a project in which the Service would purchase smaller vehicles and requested an update on that. D. Frazer indicated the Service purchased nine Chevrolet Luminas last year and they have been tested in a variety of uses across the Service. She explained staff are tracking costs to see if they provide significant operational savings. She noted the difference in the purchase cost was approximately $1,500 per unit. She indicated staff would collect the necessary data and report to the Board on those situations where the smaller vehicles may be appropriate. She believed the analysis and report would be ready in time for the year 2000 vehicle tender.

Member Baskerville noted the Halton Police Service is doing a trial purchase of some Volvo specially designed police vehicles. D. Frazer indicated the Service has tested the Volvo. She stated staff have just received the evaluation of it and will be sharing that with the Board. She noted the capital costs of the Volvo are very different from those of the Crown Victoria.

That the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Services Board approve a pre-budget commitment and award the tender for the purchase of police package vehicles to Campbell Ford Sales Ltd. (Ottawa, Ontario) for an amount of $2,058,966.90, including applicable taxes.

CARRIED

6. BOARD POLICY FRAMEWORK

- Board Policy Sub-Committee’s report dated 18 Nov 98

That the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Services Board:

RECEIVED

CARRIED

7. MOTION ON COMPLETE REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES

(deferred from meeting of 27 Apr 98)

- Board Executive Director’s report dated 18 Nov 98

Member Baskerville noted the last paragraph of the recommendation refers to a range of options to reduce the underlying cost structure. He did not believe the Board should be focusing so much on reducing costs but on cost-effectiveness. He felt the Board should be prepared to accept the fact that the actual dollar cost might not be reduced.

Member Buckingham explained her intent was to look at more cost-effective ways of conducting business. She agreed that in the end, there may not be a lowering of the net requirement but rather a re-allocation of resources within the organization.

Chair Vice believed Member Baskerville’s intention was to ensure that any reduction in underlying costs does not result in reduced service levels. Chief Ford believed that was implicit in the motion.

CARRIED

8. OFFER OF REWARD: PETER CHENIER

- Chief’s report dated 10 Nov 98

Chief Ford indicated that OCRPS officers, with the help of the Winnipeg Police Service, were able to apprehend Mr. Chenier. He noted a lot of hard work was done by Ottawa-Carleton officers and letters have been sent to the Winnipeg Police Service thanking them for their valuable assistance.

RECEIVED

9. COMMENDATION LETTERS (October/November 1998)

- Chief’s report dated 13 Nov 98

That the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Services Board receive this report for information.

RECEIVED

10. REGULAR REPORT FROM THE CHIEF AND OPP INSPECTOR

- verbal update from Chief B. Ford and Inspector L. Beechey

OPP Staff Sergeant P. Barager indicated that as part of their own transition process, meetings will be held this week to discuss the future locations of staff who will remain with the OPP. She stated that as a result of a recent Committee to Unify Police Services (CUPS) meeting, she has sent messages to officers urging them to make a decision and she expected that by Christmas staff will have made their decisions known to the OCRPS. She reported on two fatal vehicle collisions that occured in West Carleton last week.

Deputy Chief Mackie indicated the final results from the Operation Impact driving campaign were released and 1,092 provincial offence notices were issued in the areas of speeding, seat belts, running red lights and stop signs. He reported that a joint investigation between the Ottawa-Carleton Police and OPP Kanata resulted in the arrest of three suspects charged with multiple robberies. He noted November 1st marked the start of Crime Prevention Week in Ontario and this year the OCRPS focused on break and enter crimes. A press release highlighted such programs as Break and Enter Response Team (B.E.R.T.), Operation Identification and the Computer Component Theft Team. Also CJOH featured a week-long segment on break and enters which is available from the media office. He reported that he, along with Superintendent Moyle and R. Mar have started going to community meetings in Kanata to do a broad overview of the Regional Police Service and to take the first steps in establishing partnerships with the community groups. In closing, he noted that on December 1st, the OCRPS will be host to the Prime Minister and the Justice Minister at which time the National Firearms Centre will be issuing the first Firearm Certificate to a Sudbury resident at 474 Elgin Street.

RECEIVED

INQUIRIES

IN CAMERA

CARRIED