Untitled - Waterfront BIA

TABIA TASK FORCE ON CRIME: PREVENTION AND SOLUTIONS
Over the years, violent crime has increased in the Greater Toronto Area and TABIA members often are
the victims and witnesses of such crime. Like the police officers on the beat, our members are often on
the front line of these situations. As the city continues to grow, it has become essential that TABIA be
more directly involved in the decision making process concerning the business of crime. TABIA has
recently formed a new commission that will investigate and gather information regarding these
situations. The opinion of TABIA will now be a guiding force to the legislators, politicians, and community
groups and together we will make our business communities and neighbourhoods safer and better
places to live.
One of the Task Force’s first initiatives was an email survey developed by JW Strategic Solutions seeking
BIA opinions on business and community security issues. The survey results gave an indication of the
initiatives that the business community believed were needed to help make Toronto streets more secure.
Major priorities and related Task Force activities include:
Support for security cameras in public areas.
• A conference on Video CCTV equipment, sponsored by the Downtown Yonge BIA.
• Information meetings with providers of security camera technology, to understand the costs and
benefits of the technology and ensure there is compatibility across the city.
Lobbying by TABIA of the various levels of government for enforceable crime policies and
legislation.
• A meeting with Police Chief Blair and Senior Command Team in February, 2006 to outline small
business priorities of security cameras in public areas and the need for more foot patrol police
presence in business communities. In 2006 the police added 250 new officers to the force and have
redeployed many others to communities. We will continue to maintain communication between TABIA
members and the police.
• Meetings with city councilors to plan how to work together to assist youth and make our streets safer.
• Development of a TABIA question on safety and security that was asked at every all candidates
meeting in the 2006 Federal & municipal election campaigns.
• Reporting to TABIA on community safety forum recommendations (2007).
• Advising field study, Centre of Criminology University of Toronto & Carleton University.
Support for local youth initiatives that offer young people opportunities for employment and
community involvement with small business.
• TABIA sponsored 200 youth in the City Youth Ambassador Program to volunteer at the Doors Open
Toronto Festival (May 2006).
• Development of a TABIA Youth Employment Pilot Proposal with Toronto Economic Development
Department and Youth Employment Partners.
• Neil Wright attends Antibes Multicultural Festival to promote Community volunteerism.
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