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As Peterborough’s downtown ward gets ready for a public meeting to discuss community safety, correspondence from the DBIA indicates that the organization raised concerns with the idea of holding a similar meeting earlier this year.
The message was prompted by a motion brought to city council by Coun. Alex Bierk, which proposed “a moderated public meeting focused on addressing homelessness, housing, and community safety in the downtown core” prior to the beginning of budget talks.
A letter obtained through a freedom of information request shows that DBIA chair Sacha Lai-Svirk wrote to members of the DBIA board — which Bierk was a member of until changes to the portfolio chairs — in advance of a Sept. 16 general committee meeting. The letter outlined key messaging for members should they be asked about the motion.
“We all agree that addressing these social issues is critical for our community,” Lai Svirk wrote. “While Alex’s motion may have very good intentions, it does carry risks to the downtown’s image. It may amplify concerns about downtown safety and social issues.”
“It is essential to recognize and celebrate the positive momentum we’ve experienced downtown — where residents, businesses, and local leaders are collaboratively working to foster a vibrant and inclusive environment,” she continued.
The meeting would have included members of city staff and Bierk’s co-chair of housing and homelessness, Coun. Keith Riel.
However, the idea for the public meeting was eventually voted down by the majority of councillors in a 7-4 vote at a council meeting on Sept. 23, gaining the support of only Couns. Joy Lachica and Matt Crowley, who voted alongside Bierk and Riel.
Now Town Ward will hold a meeting on public safety on Dec. 3 at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, which will include a presentation from the Peterborough Police Service on the programs and initiatives related to public safety.
The police service has held similar meetings in other wards this fall.
DBIA executive director Nour Mazloum told the Examiner that she would be attending the meeting, but did not provide further comment on the DBIA’s messaging or hopes for the meeting.
Asked about the perception that the meeting may cast the downtown in a negative light, Coun. Joy Lachica insisted in an interview that it should accomplish the opposite by allowing community members an opportunity to see what’s being done from a public safety perspective.
“I think this is going to be complimentary, we’re working on the premise that we have a bustling and thriving downtown,” Lachica said. “We are affirming that there’s no need to avoid the downtown and that we need to be accessing our downtown.”
Over the past year, the city’s police service has launched two major projects, including the Community F.I.R.S.T. property crimes team, as well as the Safer Public Spaces initiatives, which responds to open-air substance use in what the police have called a compassionate approach, which results in fewer arrests and charges.
Last week, however, the police announced a suspension of the safer public spaces program in the area immediately surrounding the Trinity Community Centre operated by One City Peterborough through a partnership with the city.
“Our ward meeting is an opportunity for residents to share their thoughts, ask questions, and raise concerns about the ideas that matter to most to them,” Coun. Bierk told the Examiner.
“The issues of the city are magnified in the downtown, and we need to advocate strongly to ensure our needs are heard and addressed.”
Bierk also expressed his support for the DBIA and their initiatives to strengthen the downtown, noting the significance of council’s decision to restore $150,000 in funding to the DBIA, which had not been included in the city’s 2025 staff recommended budget.
“In my view, this funding should never have been in question,” Bierk said. “I’m also not hearing from any constituents who support proposed incremental cuts like this, which disproportionately impact community groups in our downtown and significantly affect vulnerable community members.”
The Town Ward meeting comes during budget talks for the city and follows a decision by council to ask the police service, as well as the paramedics service, and health unit, to come back with a reduced budget ask for 2025.
The police services board has since responded, saying they can reduce the increase by one per cent from the original 8.8 — a reduction of $350,822 — which is in line with a “bronze” option floated by police chief Stuart Betts to the public during a Sept. 19 public meeting.
The Town Ward community safety meeting will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and will include a presentation by Staff Sgt. Mark Reesor.
— With files from Joelle Kovach
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