The behavior of Oakville youth has been a serious topic of discussion by the Town, with a report provided to council on June 16 that details vandalism and rowdy behavior across Oakville.
Council received another report in October of 2009 – citing several incidents of vandalism and rowdy activities throughout Oakville. The report also included an Easter weekend bush party near Morrison Creek Valley that resulted in teens stealing resident’s patio furniture, and using it for kindling.
“I can’t really do anything to deal with the problem before it happens,” Dan Cozzi said, Director of Roads and Works Operations Department for the town. “The issue is how do we create some type of proactive measure to improve the situation as far as the rest of the town are concerned.”
Included in the report was a strategy proposed to council to solve the problems being faced by the town, which included the hiring of a Community Development Officer.
“The purpose of the Community Development Officer is to take on a whole bunch of tasks which we feel are proactive tasks. It’s an investment so that over time, perhaps we can address this problem of vandalism and rowdy behavior throughout the town,” Cozzi said.
“If we know that a particular area of town that is undergoing some problematic activity, this Community Development Officer can work with the police to potentially increase patrols in that area.”
“We have the opportunity to install security cameras, and that person could make recommendations to the appropriate department.”
The cost to hire a full-time community development officer is $77,000.
As a part of the strategy staff also recommended a partnership with schools boards to promote the adoption of walkways that connect roads to schools. Schools would be asked to advocate a no loitering policy within the walkways, and clean litter and graffiti as it appears.
Partnerships with businesses are also suggested, and would be encouraged to adopt walkways known for excessive littering and vandalism.
Increased lighting and security cameras are also recommended in hot spot areas known for rowdy behavior.
The entire strategy recommended by staff will cost the town $158,000.
“The strategy is really what we consider to be an investment. We can’t police, make arrests, and we can’t physically stop people from doing what they are doing. We really are in a position where we can react after the fact,” Cozzi said.
“I can’t do anything to stop it other than clean up the mess after the fact,” he said.
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