Loitering 

Loitering in general represents a fundamental root cause for elevated safety concerns and reduced perceptions of safety and comfort by all stakeholders. It therefore needs to be addressed properly as the site is redeveloped. The abutting rear alley represents the physical space with high vulnerability to loitering. Windsor Police will certainly be monitoring this through our regular patrols but the owner also needs to maintain regular observation of this space during operating hours as well. The more easterly front entrance may also conflict with an adjacent access for residents who live upstairs – this may warrant limiting entry to just the westerly front door to prebvent conflicts. Loitering, if tolerated, acts as a conduit to more dangerous offenses/situations that can negatively impact other businesses, residents of the building, and nearby public spaces and therefore needs to be prevented.

The abutting rear alley (left photo) and adjacent residential access (right photo) point to the need to manage activity attending the store

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AROUND STOREFRONT

The site’s physical orientation is well suited to pedestrian access. The only potential safety concern is clustering of patrons in large groups on the public sidewalk near the entrance. This could inhibit access for residents who live upstairs, plus other pedestrians to safely pass by, causing a spillover effect onto the adjacent roadway. A well thought out crowd control plan by the applicant is required to ensure a high level of ongoing safety of the public is maintained, inclusive of clearly demonstrating how the safety of passing pedestrians not attending the store will be established and maintained.

ACCESS CONTROL TO & FROM BUILDING

The safety of this particular business operation (Cannabis retail store) is greatly influnced by how customer access control is carried out. Safety in this regard will be optimized the more visually accountable such access is conducted. A situationally unique variable in this particular case is the presence of the street level access to residential units above the store. Applicant will need to demonstrate an ability to ensure patrons do not congregate within this space, thereby inhibiting safe and comfortable access by residents of the building’s upper floor.

PUBLIC SAFETY IMPACT ASSESSMENT – Proposed New Cannabis Retail Store

June 2020