The possibility of creating a police hub – which is smaller than a police station – in the Oshawa Markets area, was discussed at a meeting of south Oshawa councillors with senior representatives of the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS).
South Oshawa is generally perceived as having higher rates of crime, homelessness and opioid misuse than other parts of Durham Region. Oshawa officials have called several times for better security resources in the area (see below).
The former South Oshawa Police Station on Cedar Street (now the Victims Support Office) is being used by police to access information and service support.
“We urged that there is a need for an office that allows residents to walk in and discuss issues and events,” said Councillor Brian Nicholson Ward 5 Oshawa and Durham Council.
He, and fellow ward 5 Councillor John Gray, met with senior police staff in the Central East Division, the area that services Ward 5.
Issues discussed included the following:
Open drug use in both public and private properties. Nicholson reported: “We agreed that open drug use is a growing problem and that additional resources where available will be assigned to this issue. We found out that 153 confiscations of drugs and drug paraphernalia have occurred since April and that this response will continue.
Enforcement of trespass notices when in effect. Police staff indicated that stronger enforcement of trespass orders is required and they report on police outreach to homeowners and business on Simcoe/Centre from Adelaide to Bloor and on King/Bond from Park to Ritson to increase the use of trespass orders to limit negative activity and loitering, the councillor said.
Ensuring adequate response times to events in Ward 5. The assignment of police staff in Ward 5 was discussed. The councillors received assurance that police will be able to fully respond to any priority one events within 10 minutes and hopefully sooner. They also indicated that although police staff are assigned to designated areas, they are dispatched to other areas as required.
Amount and severity of calls for service. The meeting reviewed the calls for service. Nicholson said the good news is that issues in Ward 5 are decreasing and that the southern Oshawa is amongst the areas in Oshawa with the lowest number of calls for service. “Long time residents will note that this is a welcome change and we will continue to lower those numbers even further.”
Ensuring full and safe access to area greenspaces and trails. The meeting discussed the use of the new all-terrain vehicle and full access bikes to increase patrols along our bike paths, community trails and greenspaces. Police have already noted less criminal activity in these areas as offenders become aware, said the councillor.
Possible creation of a police hub station in Ward 5. We discussed the possibility of creating a police hub station (smaller than normal station) in the Oshawa Markets and confirmed that the former South Oshawa Police Station on Cedar Street (now the Victims Support Office) is being used by police to access information and service support. We urged that there is a need for an office that allows residents to walk in and discuss issues and events, the councillor said.
New Non-emergency Email
The meeting also agreed to work to increase communication between councillors and the police and to ensure that when complaints are filed, councillors get a “fulsome response” so they can report back to residents on actions taken. “We all agreed this must be a priority,” said Nicholson.
Police also provided a new contact email for area residents to use to report non-emergency issues to staff in the Central East Division. The contact email is centraleast@drps.ca.
“John and I will continue to meet with DRPS staff to advance issues important issues to area residents,’ the councillor added.
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