Kenora, Ont. promises to address the rise in brazen downtown crime – Winnipeg | 24CA News
The City of Kenora, Ont., is promising to deal with an increase in brazen downtown crime that’s shaken the small Ontario neighborhood east of Winnipeg.
The vacation season was interrupted by a string of violence directed at companies within the metropolis, forcing an emergency metropolis council assembly on Thursday.
Michelle Livingston owns Island Girl in Kenora and she or he advised Global News in her retailer on Christmas Eve a person turned violent in the direction of her after refusing to depart at closing time.
“He ran into the store and started grabbing clothing racks and, you know, knocked over my sunglasses and breaking all my sunglasses and knocking over our Christmas tree,” she mentioned.
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Escalating violence in downtown Kenora creating hazard for companies, advocates concern vigilantism
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“I had to grab the shovel to kind of stop him and get him away from me. And that’s when he ended up taking the shovel from me, knocking me to the ground, grabbing my head, started pounding it towards the floor.”
Mayor Andrew Poirier says Ontario Provincial Police are committing to rising automotive and foot patrols which he says have already taken impact within the metropolis.
The council additionally agreed to rent a neighborhood security and wellbeing coordinator and replace the town’s security plan.
That contains constructing extra reasonably priced housing and ensuring extra helps can be found to these experiencing addictions, psychological well being issues and homelessness
The security concern received’t be resolved in a single day however Poirier is hoping it is going to result in extra options.
“That process is going to start next week with the beginning of the recruitment of this position and also starting to engage with a consultant on redeveloping the plan, one that will work for our community.”
Additionally, on the public assembly, Indigenous advocates and people supporting folks experiencing addictions and homelessness voiced issues over social media posts that had been encouraging vigilantism on folks residing on the streets.
“It’s very unnerving for those of us who care about the, we think, maybe 150 people, homeless people in Kenora,” mentioned Mary-Alice Smith with Kenora Moving Forward, a grassroots group involved with points involving homelessness and poverty.
Poirier mentioned council is working with different companies to assist with homelessness together with a transitional housing mission that he mentioned can be performed all through the course of 2023.
“I’m concerned about Kenora and the safety of citizens and visitors alike,” he mentioned.
Poirier pointed to a difficulty concerning a disconnect between legislation enforcement and Ontario’s judiciary system.
“People are being arrested for serious crimes, then we seem to see them out on the streets not long after they’re arrested.”
Poirier mentioned police are doing their job they usually can do what they will to maintain folks protected, however the entire downside lies with the courts and sentencing.
Livingston mentioned it’s too early to inform whether or not the town’s plans will work however she’s holding onto hope her little one can develop up in a Kenora as stunning and as protected because the one she knew from when she was younger.
“When’s the breaking point? When’s it going to change? I mean, it has to be now, or else our community will be gone.” she mentioned.
“I never saw this growing up, so I want it to be like that for my child. So when she grows up, she can have the same childhood I did.”
— with information from Global’s Rosanna Hempel
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
