Oshawa Mayor’s Task Force on Community Safety, Security and Well-Being held its inaugural meeting on Friday, January 29, said a city statement.
The task force is addressing priorities in multiple phases. Phase 1 is focusing on downtown Oshawa and the surrounding area, with additional phases to be identified as necessary that may focus on other areas of the city, it added.
“As chair, I am pleased to report that there was a lot of great discussion at the opening meeting of the Mayor’s Task Force on Community Safety, Security and Well-Being. The partners discussed addressing issues, beginning with the downtown, with a broader view and the need to communicate with the public on how to report incidents. I look forward to working together to identify root causes and recommend solutions,” said Regional Councillor Bob Chapman.
During the virtual meeting, Mayor Dan Carter, Chapman and community stakeholders discussed the need to address issues in the downtown using a broad and holistic approach, relating to the city’s current by-laws related to safety, how residents and businesses can report safety- and security-related incidents, and the importance of ongoing proactive communications.
The task force is comprised of representatives from the Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS), Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce and social service agencies, as well as representation from the local business community, community partners and residents.
The Task Force mandate is to work collaboratively with Oshawa City Council and staff to identify and propose opportunities that aim to address local issues affecting community safety, security and well-being.
Key objectives of the Task Force are to:
- Engage and collaborate with local businesses, residents and other stakeholders regarding community safety, security and well-being issues and potential opportunities for improvement;
- Ensure that the work of the Task Force complements and enhances the efforts and activities of the Regional-wide Community Safety Well-being Plan; and,
- Support communications regarding outcomes of the Task Force and increased awareness of safety, security and well-being in the community.
Residents and local businesses are reminded to report City-related incidents (e.g. by-law reports, concerns with park or trail use, discarded needles on city property) to Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311. To contact the DRPS for a non-emergency, please call 905-579-1520. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies.
“I was pleased to be part of excellent dialogue at the inaugural meeting of the Mayor’s Task Force on Community Safety, Security and Well-Being. The Task Force is bringing key partners together to have conversations on safety in our community and to work together to identify opportunities to address Oshawa’s unique challenges and build a better community for everyone,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter.