FIFTH MEETING OF THE
RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE FOR 2009
TOWN OF
Ontario Room,
Monday, June 1, 2009
7:15 PM – 9:00 PM
MINUTES
|
ATTENDANCE: Committee Rochelle Bowmile, Vice Chair Aisha Manji Winnie Wales Vilvan Gunasingham Councillor L. Kanapathi Javaid Khan Staff Laura Gold, Committee Clerk Sharon Laing, Director of Human Resource |
Regrets Regional Councillor T. Wong Kevin Koo |
The fifth meeting of the Markham
Race Relations Committee convened at 7:14 PM with
1. CHAIRS OPENING REMARKS
2. CHANGES OR ADDITION TO THE AGENDA
The Chair requested that item No. 4 on the Agenda “Discussion with York Region Police Patrolling Officers” be dealt with before the passing of the minutes.
3. DISCUSSION
WITH
POLICE PATROLLING OFFICERS
Police Constable M. Lau, and Police Constable J. Griffiths provided an overview of the York Region Police Foot Patrol Program, a pilot project launched in December of 2007. The Foot Patrol Program is comprised of Ms. Lau, and Mr. Griffiths (2 Officers). The program focuses on the importance of community outreach. One of the goals of the program is to improve the public image of Officers. This is being achieved by having Foot Patrolling Officers: 1) visible on the main streets; 2) bike through neighbourhoods and parks; and, 3) make appearances at events. The increased visibility of Officers is thought to cultivate community relationships, reduce crime, and keep the police better informed with respect to what is happening in the community.
Mr. Griffiths advised that historically an Officer would be assigned to foot patrolling duty for only a few months, explaining the new strategy is to assign Officers to foot patrolling duty for longer durations of time. He noted that City of Toronto, and numerous municipalities in the United States have Foot Patrolling Units.
Ms. Lau advised that some parents raise their children to fear Police Officers. She hoped that having more Officers visible within the community would improve the public perception of Officers. She also hoped that children and adolescents could see Police Officers as people that they can trust and turn too.
Mr. Javid Khan, Committee Member, recommended that the Foot Patrolling Officers be visible at the local high schools once a week. He believed this would send a message to the students that Officers regularly patrol the area. Mr. Griffiths advised that (2) full time School Officers are responsible for monitoring the schools, noting that they could also make routine visits to the local high schools.
The Committee briefly discussed kids biking without a helmet. The Officers noted that one of the problems they face is that many kids do not have the resources to purchase helmets making it challenging to enforce. Mr. Khan recommended working as a Committee to obtain sponsors to purchase bicycle helmets for kids that cannot afford to purchase a bicycle helmet. Rochelle Bowmile, Vice Chair, noted there used to be more bicycle safety programs for kids.
Mr. Easow inquired what type of racial issues they handle as Patrolling Officers. Ms. Lau provided an example of (2) businesses selling similar products operating directly across from each other, explaining that the owners have been feuding and are from different cultures. She advised that it is their responsibility, as Foot Patrolling Officers to monitor the businesses to assure that the issues do not escalate. Ms. Lau explained that if a racial issue escalates, the case would be referred to the Hate Crimes Unit.
Ms. Lau advised that a database is being used to track the Foot Patrolling Units activities, and to help establish community relationships. Theresa Coulter, Committee Member, inquired what measurements are be used to determine the success of the Foot Patrolling Program (for example measuring if crime has decreased). Mr. Griffiths advised that they provide weekly reports, and that they hope their activities will lead to a decrease in the crime rate.
Mr. Gunasingham inquired if (2) Foot Patrolling Officers was adequate. Mr. Griffiths advised that there is a possibility the program may grow in the future, as it has been well received. The Officers left their cards and encouraged the Committee to contact them if they had any further questions or concerns.
4. MINUTES
OF
COMMITTEE HELD ON APRIL 6, 2009, AND MAY 4, 2009
April 6, 2009
The spelling of Duncan Broom’s last name was corrected.
May 4, 2009
Nadine Daley’s title was corrected to Manager of Human Resources.
Moved by Javid Khan
Seconded by Vilvan Gunasingham
That the Minutes of the Town of
5. CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
(CONTINUED)
The Committee requested that the
item “Awareness of Tamil/ Sinhalese Conflict in
6.
Ms. Sharon Laing, Director of Human Resources, provided the Town’s Human Resources update. She advised that the Town is still trying to balance the internal and external data collected in the establishment of its Diversity Plan, noting that more external data would be collected over the summer months. She hoped that over the course of the summer the Town would hire a Diversity Specialist, reporting that (2) applicants have been invited to a final interview. She thought the key skills required of the applicant included: 1) conducting research; 2) life experience; and 3) problem solving skills.
7. SUB- COMMITTEE UPDATE
A.
EVENT
SUB-COMMITTEE
Mr. Easow advised the Committee that he had been asked to join the Olympic Torch Committee. He spoke about the “Olympic Torch” event, advising it will be held at Markham Civic Centre on Thursday, December 17, 2009. He noted that the Committee is working hard to make this a prestigious event of Markham. He encouraged the Committee to volunteer on the day of the event
B. POLICY
SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE
Mr. Easow advised that the Committee is searching for new issues for the Policy Sub-Committee to focus on.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. AWARENESS
OF TAMIL/ SINHALESE
CONFLICT IN
The Committee discussed the Tamil/ Sinhalese conflict in
8. EVENT SUB – COMMITTEE (CONTINUED)
Moved by Vilvan
Gunasingham
Seconded by Rochelle
Bowmile
That the
recommendations from the Event Sub-Committee be received.
9. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Race Relations Committee will be held on September 14, 2009.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The fourth meeting of the Race Relations Committee adjourned at 8:50 p.m.