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 alley at the rear represents the physical space wiith the highest vulnerability to loitering. Windsor Police will certainly be monitoring this through oour regular patrols but the owner also needs to maintain regular monitoring of this space during operating hours as well. The proximity to the temporary main public library branch, connected via the rear alley, puncuates the importance of controlling activity. Loitering, if permitted to continue, acts as a conduit to more dangerous offenses/situations that can negatively impact other businesses and public spaces within the general vicinity and therefore needs to be prevented.
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 other pedestrians to safely pass by and also cause some individuals to spill over 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.
Summary of Police Incident Data at Sites Within the Immediate Area
An examination of police incident response data for the block of Chatham Street West where the store is to be located was examined. The data revealed the following:
| YEAR | NUMBER OF POLICE CALLS: 0-99 ChathamStreet West |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 31 |
| 2018 | 43 |
| 2019 | 34 |
| Yearly Average | 36 police calls |
The nature of these incidents widely varied but included such activity as disorderly conduct, fights, property damage, breaking and entering, suspicious persons and vehicles, thefts, assaults, trouble unknown, etc.
In recognition of this existing criminogenic profile, it will be important to ensure any police-generated activity arising out of the operation of the new Cannabis retail store can be properly managed to maintain public safety for the area.