Summary of Police Incident Data at Sites Within the Immediate Area
An examination of police incident response data for the block of Ottawa Street where the store is to be located was examined. The data revealed the following:
| YEAR | NUMBER OF POLICE CALLS: 1300 Block of Ottawa Street |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 33 |
| 2018 | 41 |
| 2019 | 36 |
| 2020 | 20 (as of May 31st) |
| Yearly Average | 37 police calls |
The nature of these incidents widely varied but included such activity as disorderly conduct, threats/harassment, alarm activations, breaking and entering, suspicious persons and vehicles, property damage, thefts, 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.
Primary Drivers of Safety
Establishing and maintaining a suitably high level of public safety and security for a high profile commercial business such as this, inclusive of all its users, should form the basis for any decisions made hereafter that impact such. To optimize user comfort and enjoyment, along with the facility’s social and economic value to the community, this must be the goal. In this regard, the following drivers of safety should guide decisions that need to be considered:
-
All employees feel safe to do their jobs and serve customers of the facility
-
Customers, who represent a critical success component in this facility’s ongoing operations, must also feel safe while attending the business and traveling to and from it
-
The community’s perception of this important economic asset relies heavily on its sustained reputation as a place that is comfortable, enjoyable, and SAFE
RECOMMENDATONS TO ADDRESS SAFETY & SECURITY
The following recommendations, in no particular order, are offered for consideration from a public safety optimization, threat and risk mitigation, and general safety & security perspective. These recommendations are intended to specifically address the three (3) key areas outlined by the AGCO for consideration according to the Cannabis Licence Act 2018; namely: