Councillor Brian Nicholson of Oshawa has warned that despite continued efforts to mitigate the negative activities in the Mill Street-Simcoe Street South-First Street communities, the situation continues to deteriorate as “individuals continue to abuse the neighbourhoods with drug use, intimidation, debris and nuisance activities”.
As a result of this deteriorating situation, Mayor Dan Carter, fellow Ward 5 Councillor John Gray and Nicholson, are setting up a coordination meeting with the Region of Durham, Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS), the City of Oshawa’s Security, Bylaw Enforcement and Operations staff to review the status of area concerns and to develop a go forward plan to address this situation.
Also invited to attend will be Oshawa Chief Administrative Office (CAO), and both Safety and Facilities Services and Community and Operations Services Commissioners.
“We are also hoping to have representatives of the two school boards and Durham Transit to discuss bus access issues but that is not confirmed as of yet,” said Nicholson in a social media post.
He said area residents and businesses have legitimate concerns regarding the activities in this area. “We are taking them very seriously.
Nicholson urged area resident or business with specific concerns to send him an email so he can raise them at the meeting.
“Your assistance in identifying the issues will be vital to a coordinated response moving forward,” he said.
Homeless
With respect, no one is more outspoken on the issue of lack of services to deal with our housing crisis, but being homeless or having addiction or mental health issues is not a free pass to abuse people or put them at risk,” Nicholson said.
“We need to address the security issues just as strongly as we address the housing and related issues,” said appreciating residents’ patience as authorities deal with the situation.
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