Has the City of Oshawa apparently given up on Durham police and is now turning to businesses to enforce security in its downtown?
“Yes, that’s exactly what’s happening. And it’s infuriating because these are the same businesses that have been trying to ask the police for support,” said John Meloche, a Durham resident.
The iconic Canadian Automotive Museum (CAM) has been fined $1,500 for nuisance in and around its property. Notices have been sent out to other businesses in the area.
Sean Keane, another Durham resident, said the CAM has been fined and told to hire private security to deal with the homeless crisis.
He said businesses are being told to “clean it, secure it, pay for it, or we’ll fine you”. He said the “city has failed to control the encampments in Memorial Park and along the trail. Failed to deal with the break-ins, the needles, the vandalism. Failed to protect downtown”.
$1,1 Billion Police Plan
However, in an interview earlier, Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter, had indicated that security is the responsibility of the police while housing (for homeless) is the responsibility of the Region of Durham. He has been calling on all levels of government (see below) to help while pointing out that some 80 per cent of the region’s homeless are found in Oshawa.
Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS) has a $1,1 billion 10-year strategic plan (see below) that does have a focus on its Oshawa headquarter. DRPS has recently been updating crime monitoring technology such as the acquisition of an all-terrain vehicle, drone surveillance and a multimillion dollar Air4 helicopter.
CAM Asked For Help, Got Fined
Carter, who is not standing for re-election as Oshawa mayor, has now turned to downtown businesses to enforce security in and round their premises.
One of the prominent institutions targeted is the Canadian Automotive Museum (CAM), which, for more than 60 years has preserved and shared Canada’s automotive heritage with a collection that includes more than 100 irreplaceable historic vehicles, some the only surviving examples of their kind.
“We are proud to call downtown Oshawa home. We invest in our site, care for our collection, welcome school groups and visitors, and contribute to community events that bring people downtown. We want to continue doing so for generations to come,” said a CAM statement.
Increasing Strain
“Recently, ongoing vandalism, trespassing, property damage and other incidents on and around the museum property have placed increasing strain on our staff, volunteers and limited operating resources. These challenges are affecting visitor confidence, while requiring considerable time and money to manage,” said the statement.
The CAM board has called on the city to partner on practical improvements to security, maintenance and infrastructure around the museum. “We’re also interested in working with other downtown stakeholders to support a broader public dialogue about how we can make this part of downtown safer, more welcoming and more vibrant.”
Urgency Of Situation
However, the CAM statement said the urgency of the situation has increased in the past two weeks, as the museum has received $1,500 in municipal bylaw fines related to nuisance activity on museum property, despite the museum repeatedly taking steps to prevent and address the conduct at issue.
CAM officials asked residents to share their concerns and support for the improvements in downtown Oshawa by contacting city council at council@oshawa.ca or the city clerk at clerk@oshawa.ca.