PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

 

MINUTES

 

An Open meeting of the Public Safety Committee was held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. on Tuesday, 2018 November 06 at 6:00 p.m.

 

1.

CALL TO ORDER

 

 

 

 

PRESENT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABSENT:

 

 

 

 

 

ADVISORY ORGANIZATIONS:

 

 

STAFF:

 

 

 

Councillor Pietro Calendino, Chair

Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, Vice Chair

Councillor James Wang, Member 

Ms. Donna Dawson, Burnaby Crime Prevention Society

Mr. Cory Redekop, Burnaby Board of Trade

Mr. Stephen Baron, Citizens’ Representative

Mr. Lloyd Paul, Citizens’ Representative

Mr. David Pereira, Citizens’ Representative

Mr. Dave Reid, Citizens’ Representative

Ms. Lisa Bruschetta, Vice Chair District #1 – Hastings/Brentwood

Ms. Mary Gates, Chair District #4 – Southwest

 

Councillor Nick Volkow, Member (due to illness)

Trustee Larry Hayes, Burnaby Board of Education

Ms. Emily Li, Citizens’ Representative

Mr. Aki Ediriweera, Chair District #2 – Burnaby Mountain

Ms. Tazul Nisha Ali, Chair District #3 – Southeast 

 

Mr. Ken Robb, Burnaby HUB

Ms. Stace Dayment, District Parent Advisory Council Representative

Mr. Tom Webster, ICBC

 

Mr. Dave Critchley, Director Public Safety and Community Services

Chief Superintendent Chuck McDonald, Acting Officer in Charge, RCMP

Fire Chief Joe Robertson, Fire Department

Mr. Doug Louie, Assistant Director Engineering, Transportation Services

Sergeant Lorena Rostie, Strategic Planning NCO, RCMP

Ms. Margaret Manifold, Senior Social Planner

Ms. Lauren Cichon, Administrative Officer

 

The Chair called the Open meeting to order at 6:09 p.m.

 

 

 

2.

MINUTES

 

 

a)

Minutes of the Open meeting of the Public Safety Committee held on 2018 September 18                                                                

 

 

MOVED BY MR. BARON

SECONDED BY MR. LLOYD

 

THAT the minutes of the Open meeting of the Public Safety Committee held on 2018 September 18 be adopted.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

3.

DELEGATIONS

 

 

MOVED BY MR. BARON

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR DHALIWAL

 

THAT the delegations be heard.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

a)

Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers

Re: New Crime Stoppers "P-3" App

Speaker: Linda Annis, Executive Director

 

 

Ms. Linda Annis, Executive Director, provided an update from Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers (MVCS) and further information on the “P-3” App. Ms. Annis advised MVCS covers from Boston Bar to Powell River in BC equaling approximately 2.4 million residents. MVCS allows the public the opportunity to report any suspected criminal activity anonymously. In 2017, MVCS received around 6,000 tips resulting in 180 arrests and 269 charges. MVCS also has programs that support crime prevention such as the School Program, Anti-Gang and Illegal Gun Program, and the Elder Abuse Awareness Program. The Anti-Gang and Illegal Gun Program, that started over a year and a half ago, has resulted in over 180 guns seized and 150 arrests related to illegal guns/gang activity. In 2018, there have been twelve arrests from MVCS in Burnaby.

 

The speaker noted tips are taken in over 115 languages and can be reported 24/7, 365 days a year. Ms. Annis advised tips can be reported by calling MVCS, visiting their website or downloading the “P-3” app, which is compatible with Apple or Android. 

 

The Committee inquired on the reaction time for tips submitted. The speaker advised if the crime is in process, it is handled immediately and dispatched to the Federal Communications Commission to handle within the appropriate jurisdiction. Ms. Annis also noted if a tip is reported regarding a previous crime, it will be handled within a twelve hour period.  

 

 

b)

Request for Pedestrian Sign on Byrne Road and Market Crossing

Speaker: Stephanie Forster

 

Ms. Stephanie Forster, appeared before the Committee expressed concerns regarding pedestrian safety, and to request a pedestrian cross walk at Byrne Road and Market Crossing. Ms. Forster provided a Youtube video to the Committee outlining the hazards in the area and how residents and workers from businesses cross illegally to get to the Market Crossing Shopping Centre.

 

Staff advised a full traffic signal will be installed in 2019, if approved by Council.

 

The Committee inquired if there could be a temporary solution in place until next year.

 

Staff undertook to follow up by investigating vehicles travelling at excessive speeds at this location.

 

 

4.

CORRESPONDENCE

 

 

MOVED BY mr. reid

SECONDED BY councillor wang

 

THAT the correspondence be received.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

a)

Correspondence from Stephanie Forster

Re: Request for Pedestrian Sign at Byrne Road and Market Crossing

 

 

Correspondence was received from Ms. Stephanie Forster regarding pedestrian safety at the intersection of Byrne Road and Market Crossing. The writer requested the City implement a pedestrian crosswalk to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

 

Ms. Forster submitted a petition containing 23 signatures with no addresses from community stakeholders.

 

The concerns expressed by the writer were discussed under item 3(b) of the agenda.

 

b)

Correspondence from Susan Willows

Re: Safe Biking Routes in Burnaby    

 

 

Correspondence was received from Ms. Susan Willows regarding cycling safety concerns in the City. Ms. Willows expressed concerns the north to south biking routes are not safe and is requesting the City improve the bike routes. The

 

writer noted Nelson Avenue is a designated bike route but no room is allotted for bikes. The writer also requested speed bumps be installed on Victory Street and that the entrance to Victory Street from the north to south streets be made one car width wide to allow an exit, but not an entrance.

 

MOVED BY MR. PEREIRA

SECONDED BY MR. LLOYD

 

THAT the writer’s concerns be REFERRED to staff for review.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

c)

Correspondence from Patrick Parkes

Re: Traffic Safety Issues for Cyclists 

 

 

Correspondence was received from Mr. Patrick Parkes regarding cycling safety concerns in the City. The writer highlighted the intersection of Morley Drive/Humphries Avenue at Imperial Street advising there is no crosswalk to assist pedestrians or cyclists. Mr. Parkes requested if the City can install a controlled pedestrian crossing. The writer also noted 12th Avenue between 6th Street and Mary Avenue is an ill-advised cycling route and requested traffic calming measures or an alternative route between 6th Street and Mary Avenue.

 

Staff undertook to investigate.   

 

d)

Correspondence from Edward Fan and Jenny Yan

Re: Request for Pedestrian Lines and Student Cross Signs  at Douglas Road and Hardwick Street                                            

 

 

Correspondence was received from Mr. Edward Fan and Ms. Jenny Yan regarding pedestrian safety at Douglas Road and Hardwick Street. The writers requested the City to paint pedestrian cross lines on Douglas Road for the safety of elementary school students attending Douglas Road Elementary School and install young students cross signs along Douglas Road.

 

Staff are collaborating with residents in the area to find a solution.

 

e)

Correspondence from Matthew Senf

Re: Parking Regulation Concerns on Brentlawn Drive

 

 

Correspondence was received from Mr. Matthew Senf requesting the City to find substantial traffic calming solutions for Brentlawn Drive.

 

Mr. Senf submitted a petition containing 26 signatures from residents of Brentlawn Drive. The petition reads as follows:

 

 

“I, the undersigned, a resident of Brentlawn Drive in Burnaby, adamantly oppose any new parking regulations that impede residents and their guests from unlimited street parking anywhere on the street for any length of time within the standing municipal parking ordinance.”

 

Staff undertook to investigate.

 

f)

Correspondence from Volker Seidel

Re: Traffic Calming Measures on Antrim Avenue

 

 

Correspondence was received from Mr. Volker Seidel expressing concern that parents of Burnaby South Secondary School students, visitors to the school premises and students use the straight stretch on Antrim Avenue in front of 7326 Antrim Avenue and up to Victory Street, as a race track for speeding vehicles. The writer is recommending that the City place speed bumps on Antrim Avenue and install signage at the parking lot entrance of the school to close the gates to the parking lot at night.

 

Staff undertook to follow up with the writer.

 

Mr. Seidel submitted a petition containing 26 signatures from residents of Antrim Avenue. The petition reads as follows:

 

Petition Summary and Background: Antrim Avenue, south of Beresford in South Burnaby is a direct connector to the Burnaby South Secondary School and the Michael J Fox Theatre from the Royal Oak and Kingsway area. Students of this school, parents, teachers and local residents use this road daily. It is a straight quarter-mile stretch – an acceleration path – which results in many drivers exceeding the local speed limit of 50 km/h, throughout the day and into the late nights. Young people race their cars, after frequently doing donuts on the unlocked school’s car park after hours, with acceleration runs in the short stretch up to Victory Street and beyond. This is a severe danger to pedestrians and/or children playing on the football field next to the road. It is just a matter of time until an accident, if not fatal accident, will happen on this stretch of road.

 

Action petitioned for: We, the undersigned, are concerned residents who urge our leaders to consider the liability issues if an accident happens on this stretch of road to a teacher, student or local resident if the City does not act now. We ask Burnaby Council to act now and either install speed bumps or an enforced school zone on this stretch of road in front of our building 7326 Antrim Avenue (or beyond).”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

REPORTS

 

 

MOVED by councillor dhaliwal

SECONDED BY councillor wang

 

 

 

THAT the reports be received.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

 

a)

Report from the Director Public Safety and Community Services

Re: Proposed Amendments to the Burnaby Street and Traffic Bylaw and Burnaby Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw                   

 

The Director Public Safety and Community Services submitted a report to recommend that Council amend the Burnaby Street and Traffic Bylaw 1961 and Burnaby Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009.

 

The Director Public Safety and Community Services recommended:

 

1.    THAT the Public Safety Committee recommends Council direct the City Solicitor to bring forward bylaws to amend Burnaby Street and Traffic Bylaw 1961 and Burnaby Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009, as outlined in Section 2.0 of this report.

 

 

MOVED by councillor dhaliwal

SECONDED BY councillor wang

 

 

 

THAT the recommendation of the Director Public Safety and Community Services be adopted.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

 

b)

Report from the Director Engineering

Re: Brentlawn Drive Traffic Congestion

 

 

The Director Engineering submitted a report to recommend measures to alleviate traffic congestion along Brentlawn Drive.

 

The Director Engineering recommended:

 

1.    THAT the Committee recommend to Council the installation of parking restrictions as outlined in this report to help reduce traffic conflicts along Brentlawn Drive and to work with Shape Properties to provide more parking for contractors within Brentwood Mall.

 

2.    THAT a copy of this report be sent to residents along Brentlawn Drive.

 

 

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DHALIWAL

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR WANG

 

THAT this report be TABLED to allow staff the opportunity for further review.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

The Committee inquired the bus time schedule be changed instead of their routes.

 

Staff advised the suggestion will be forwarded to the Coast Mountain Bus Company.

 

The Chair requested counts of passengers on buses in peak hours.

 

Staff undertook to follow up.

 

*Ms. Dayment left the meeting at 7:45 p.m. and did not return*

 

6.

MONTHLY REPORTS

 

 

MOVED BY mr. pereira

SECONDED BY ms. dawson

 

THAT the monthly reports be received.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

*Councillor Wang left the meeting at 7:51 p.m.*

 

a)

District #1 - September/October 2018

 

 

Ms. Lisa Bruschetta, Vice Chair, provided a report of activities that took place in District #1 during September and October 2018.

 

The Chair requested for staff to follow up with the School Liaison regarding Alpha Secondary School as high schoolers are recording physical fights and posting them online to be viewed. The Chair also noted that drug use is occurring under the alcove of Brentwood Park Elementary School.

 

Staff undertook to follow up.

 

 

b)

District #2 - no submission

 

 

No report was provided at this time.

 

 

 

c)

District #3 - September/October 2018

 

 

Ms. Tazul Ali, Chair, provided a report of activities that took place in District #3 during September and October 2018.

 

The Chair requested staff to monitor the Hillside Garden Area where concerns have been raised about the behaviour of youth residents vandalizing the properties around the area.

 

Staff advised they are monitoring the area and an update will be provided to the Committee at the next meeting.

 

d)

District #4 - September/October 2018

 

 

Ms. Mary Gates, Chair, provided a report of activities that took place in District #4 during September and October 2018, and noted the Bonsor Recreation Community Center has two security cameras and the security representative requested to implement a better security program.

 

Staff undertook to provide an update at the next meeting.

 

*Councillor Wang returned to the meeting at 7:54 p.m.*

 

 

e)

RCMP - August/September 2018

 

 

Acting Chief Superintendent McDonald submitted a report providing an overview of activities that took place during August/September 2018.

 

The Acting Chief Superintendent highlighted the following items:

 

·         all statistics have decreased from 2017 except for automobile theft, that has increased in Districts 1, 2,3;

·         robberies and automobile crime are a concern in the Metrotown area;

·         over 600 tickets were issued for distracted driving;

·         RCMP involved with community engagement such as the RCMP Musical Ride and the Cops for Cancer Day that took place on September 20;

·         two free week soccer camps were coordinated at Bonsor Park and were a huge success;

·         multiple complaints were received regarding the traffic issues at Kensington Avenue and Canada Way. The RCMP conducted enforcement on six separate occasions, resulting in over 200 violation tickets being issued. Lots of positive feedback was received on Twitter;

·         on four separate occasions, enforcement was conducted on Cariboo Road resulting in 14 violation tickets being issued;

·         on Duthie Avenue between Hastings Street and Curtis Street, thirteen violation tickets were issued on two separate occasions;

 

·         the Drug Section disrupted two fentanyl operations;

·         the Prolific Offender Suppression Team arrested an individual in a large scale mail theft operation;

·         foot patrols have been conducted in the City. A male has been charged and has been placed on a peace bond with conditions prohibiting him from being at Central Park;

·         Youth Investigative Team busy with the preparation of the new school year and school zone enforcement;

·         provided an update on the Cameron Recreation Centre and the concerns around drug use, including in the library. The Community Response Team advised five calls for service were made in the last 6 months. Increased foot patrols have been conducted in the area along with more volunteer presence. Burnaby Citizen’s Crime Watch has conducted initial foot patrols in the area. The situation will be reassessed in a month;

·         staff are working on a plan for the Creekside Youth Centre;

·         correspondence was received from Mr. Seidel to the RCMP regarding the racing on Antrim Avenue and has been forwarded to the Traffic Section in Engineering for their follow up and enforcement.

 

Staff advised the issues around drug use at Cameron Recreation Centre have been declining over the last three years. Staff further advised there were five incidents reported in 2016, two incidents in 2017 and one incident to date in 2018.

 

f)

Fire Department – September/October 2018

 

 

The Fire Chief submitted a report providing an overview of activities that took place during September/October 2018. The Fire Chief highlighted the following items:

·         eight significant building fires;

·         no issues on Halloween;

·         forty total overdose incidents;

·         medical calls are down about 300 a month;

·         ride along evaluations were completed;

·         unsuccessful in lobbying to the Provincial Government to not allow home grow-ops in BC. As a result, home grow ops are going to be unregulated; and,

·         Fire Prevention Division continues to keep up with inspections, hoping to be completed in three years.

 

The Chair inquired how many overdose incidents happen on average a month.

 

Staff advised that Fraser Health Authority reports 44 overdose incidents a month in Burnaby.

 

 

 

7.

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

Councillor Calendino – Resignation from Bethany Matricardi

 

Correspondence was received from Ms. Bethany Matricardi, Citizens’ Representative, informing the Committee of her resignation. Ms. Matricardi is pursuing further post-graduate studies and took on a second job.

 

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DHALIWAL

SECONDED BY MR. REID

 

THAT the Committee send a thank you letter to Ms. Bethany Matricardi for her service.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

           

8.

INQUIRIES

 

 

Councillor Dhaliwal – Pedestrian Fatality at Marine Drive and Greenall Avenue                                                                                                                               

 

Councillor Dhaliwal inquired if an update could be provided from staff on the incident and any solutions that can be implemented at this intersection.

 

Staff undertook to investigate and to provide an update at the next Committee meeting.

 

The Committee inquired about a dip on Marine Drive and raised concerns about cars travelling at excessive speeds and buses having to slow down when approaching the dip.

 

Staff undertook to investigate.

 

9.

ADJOURNMENT

 

 

MOVED BY councillor wang

SECONDED BY councillor dhaliwal

 

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Open meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

________________________

________________________

Lauren Cichon

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER              

Councillor Pietro Calendino

CHAIR