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Recommendation: That the following actions
be taken with respect to the 4th report of the Town and Gown Committee, from
its meeting held on November 13, 2013:
a) the
following actions be taken regarding the current practices being undertaken
in dealing with the conduct of students attending local post-secondary
institutions:
i)
the
questions and concerns raised at the public participation meeting held on
November 13, 2013, regarding the above-noted matter, BE REFERRED to the Civic
Administration for review and consideration, in consultation with community
partners, including, but not limited to, the London Police Service, Fanshawe
College and Western University, to report back at a future meeting of the
Town and Gown Committee, providing responses to the concerns and questions
and recommending any suggested changes that could be undertaken to better
educate the community regarding municipal by-laws and Project Learn and how
to better engage the student population;
ii)
a
public participation meeting at a future meeting of the Town and Gown
Committee BE HELD to provide a further opportunity to dialogue with the
community regarding Project Learn;
iii)
an
Information Workshop BE HELD at a future meeting of the Town and Gown
Committee to permit a more informal forum for further discussion regarding
concerns related to Project Learn;
iv)
the
Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to find a means to inform the public of
future Town and Gown Committee meetings; and,
v)
the
Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to prepare an information binder for
Members of the Town and Gown Committee containing by-laws, policies and
processes related to dealing with the conduct of students attending local
post-secondary institutions;
it being noted that the Town and Gown
Committee reviewed and received the following communications:
·
the attached
presentation from the Manager Licensing & Municipal Law Enforcement;
·
the attached
communications from D. Schaefer, 398 Chambers Place;
·
the attached
communication from G. Parker, Executive Director, Institute of Canadian
Justice; and,
·
the
attached communication from D. Bentley, Distinguished University Professor, and C.F. Klinck, Professor in
Canadian Literature;
it
being pointed out that at the public participation meeting associated with
this matter, the following individuals made oral submissions in connection
therewith:
·
Adam
Gourley, President, Fanshawe Student Union – see attached
presentation.
·
Amir
Eftekharpour, Vice-President, University of Western Ontario Students Council
– indicating that the community, the students, the Police and City officials
need to come together to address the issues that have arisen the last few
years; advising that students have concerns on how the previous Project Learn
functioned; noting that many of these issues have been resolved recently;
indicating that with the zero tolerance, students are immediately ticketed;
noting that neighbours are treated differently; and, advising that we need to
come together as a community.
·
Renald
Richer, 1509 Ryersie Road – expressing concern with the number of break ins
over the last year in his neighbourhood; and, enquiring as to whether or not
resources are allocated to areas to patrol when there are frequent break ins.
·
John
Warner, 131 Ann Street – indicating that during the school year it is a
different neighbourhood; advising that his family has lived here for 58
years; indicating that there is a lack of enforcement in the area; and,
advising that it is no longer a family neighbourhood.
·
Kevin
Watts, 152 Broughdale Avenue – advising that he and his two roommates are
$1,700 in debt due to Project Learn; indicating that he is in his second year
at Western and is an honours student; advising that negativity breeds
negativity; indicating that at the Queen’s University homecoming, the Police
kept the students on their respective properties without handing out multiple
tickets; and, advising that Project Learn does not take into account
well-rounded, educated students.
·
Pauline
House, Huron Heights – advising that she has seen a vast improvement since
zero tolerance was implemented; indicating that warnings do not work; expressing
appreciation for the Police presence in her neighbourhood; understanding the
students’ frustration; explaining that the students are living in residential
areas where the residents are looking for peace and quiet; and, advising that
it does not matter if it is a student or an adult, if they are making too much
noise, she would call the Police regardless.
·
John
Erb, 20 Craig Street – advising that he has recently moved to London from
Toronto; indicating that, except for a couple of incidents, the students in
London are exceptional people; noting that the students represent almost 10%
of London’s population; indicating that the students are under more pressure
than any other generation; advising that students need to know they are part
of the community, not an enemy of the community; and, enquiring where the
zoning is that allows young people a place to let off steam.
·
Gerald
Parker, Executive Director, Institute of Canadian Justice – indicating that
it takes a village to raise a child; advising that when you discipline
children, do not go to the extreme; and recommending that the City starts
listening to the community.
·
George
Lightfoot, 170 St. Bee’s Close – see attached presentation.
·
Kyle
Parker - see attached presentation.
·
Eugene
DiTrolio, 14 St. George Street – enquiring as to what the Student Councils
and/or Administration are doing on campus to promote education between
students and the community and how the students can more peacefully fit into
a neighbourhood.
·
Anne
Marie Valastro, 133 John Street – expressing appreciation to the London
Police Chief relating to Project Learn; advising that she has experienced a
lot of vandalism; requesting that students not be dealt with any differently
than anyone else; indicating that she has not seen any public outreach in her
neighbourhood by the students; and, recommending that there be neighbourhood
captains to establish a relationship between students and the neighbours.
·
Paul
Beechey, 1033 Waterloo Street – advising that he has resided in his
neighbourhood for 20 years; indicating that Project Learn and zero tolerance
works because it gets people’s attention; advising that Western University’s
residences have rules and regulations and there are not parties in the
University residences; enquiring as to the number of fines levied over the
years to Western University students, Fanshawe College students and
non-students; enquiring as to the cost to the London Police Service of
patrolling the student areas; and enquiring as to whether or not Fanshawe
College or the University of Western Ontario provide funding to the London
Police Service to patrol parties.
·
Charles
Joles, 1022 Waterloo Street – indicating that the only concerns that should
be considered are the ones of the residents that are affected by this
outrageous behaviour; and, advising that students should be acting like
adults.
·
Nico
DiPlacido, 177 Sherwood Avenue – advising that he and his roommates held a
soiree, with the proceeds going to charity, last year; advising that, at the
soiree, they did receive a noise complaint and received a ticket for
$1,200.00; indicating that they have an excellent rapport with the London
Police Service; noting that they have experienced a break in at their
residence; advising that he was not provided with any warning before he
received the ticket; indicating that, if he had had a warning, and was
advised that if the Police came back a second time he would receive a ticket,
he would have shut the party down; and, advising that they do outreach to
their neighbours.
·
Kirosh
Digani, 7 St. George Street – advising that this issue should be dealt with
in a more open-minded manner; advising that there should be opportunities for
learning rather than zero tolerance; indicating that they have had parties
and have checked with the neighbours to ensure that it did not bother them;
and, indicating that zero tolerance antagonizes the students.
·
Julie
Flesh, 344 Harvard Street – indicating that she does not feel safe walking at
night; advising that her car has been broken into three times in eight
months; indicating that a friend was injured when a party was shut down and a
door was kicked in; and, requesting that the Project Learn program be amended
to be more educational and to assist students in acting like adults; and,
advising that zero tolerance has a negative impact on students.
·
Jean
Marc Metrailler, 462 Maitland Street – advising that he lives in a
residential community, away from the students; encouraging the Committee to
find other areas of the City for students to live in, outside of the student
ghettos, such as Old East London; indicating that there could be express bus
service for students in these areas; and, advising that it may help the area.
·
Pat
Gianoni, Owner, G’s Pizza & Panini – advising that he is in the heart of
Richmond Row and is surrounded by noise from neighbouring restaurants and
bars; and, expressing concern with the activities of the London Police
Service.
·
Marie
Blosh, 43 Mayfair Drive – advising that the programs that have been
implemented are working in their community; indicating that Project Learn is
not a punishment and is required; and, indicating that landlords and real
estate agents are missing from this meeting.
·
Coraline
Knight, 332 Richmond Street – indicating that when tickets are given with no
warning, it can ruin a person’s life; advising that she does not see the
problem with couches on lawns, it is the same as having a nice patio set;
noting that some people even had couches on their roofs.
·
Owen
McGinnis, 7 St. George Street – advising that he was approached by a Police
Officer when he was walking down the street; indicating that during his
discussion with the Police Officer, he accidentally dropped his water bottle,
picked it up and was given a littering ticket.
·
Jack
Litchfield, 20 Gower Street – expressing appreciation to the London Police
Service for their quick response to the media backlash on Project Learn;
indicating that it is difficult for students, who are living away from home
for the first time, to receive no warning, just a ticket, and grow as adults;
indicating that the student code of conduct should not be imposed on their personal
lives; and, advising that the City should be following its policies to
encourage students to remain in London after they graduate.
·
Richard
Zukat, 1125 Western Road – expressing appreciation to the London Police
Service for scaling Project Learn back; advising that Project Learn makes him
feel like a second class citizen; enquiring as to what is being done to
protect the safety of the students; and, also enquiring as to what engagement
strategies can be implemented.
·
Brian
Bellman, 116 Mill Street – advising that Project Learn creates the divide
between students and area residents; and, recognizing that there are problems
with students, but Project Learn is not the answer.
·
Oliver
Hobson, 45 Evergreen Avenue – indicating that the provincial laws have changed
to allow the Police to use tasers; and, recommending that the London Police
Service engage the Ombudsman to discuss other options than tasers.
·
Matt
Helfin, 567 Waterloo Street – indicating that students have a right to reside
in the neighbourhoods they currently reside in; indicating that there is a
way to address the competing interests between the students and the area
residents and find a solution for everyone; advising that the best outcome is
to find a solution for everyone; also advising that what is being discussed
is a community problem; further advising that students are a valuable part of
the community; and, expressing support for moving away from zero tolerance
and promoting education.
·
Sam
Trosow, 43 Mayfair Drive – advising that he and area residents have been
trying for years to improve the housing structures; indicating that they are
now at the breaking point; advising that real estate agents are constantly
trying to get them to sell their house; indicating that there are enforcement
issues; advising that there is something wrong with the housing market;
indicating that there are privacy issues for the students; enquiring about how
more transparency on how the real estate market and rental market operate;
and, advising that the general public should be allowed to find out who the
landlord who owns the problem property is.
·
Cathy
Cave, 220 St. George Street – see attached submission.
·
Edgar
Allen Smuck, 928 Western Road – indicating that the number of students
causing problems is a small number of the student population; noting that
these students are very vocal; advising that there are alternative measures
that can be taken if the Police choose to look the other way; advising that
London does not enforce lodging houses at the present time; indicating that universities
and colleges could be run as a business and students would have to sign a
Code of Conduct; and, indicating that the Charter of Rights does give you the
right to freedom, but does not give you the right to break the law.
·
Laura
Cricht, Nursing Student – advising that we need to create a community of
caring rather than blame; indicating that not all students are the same;
noting that the generalized approach being taken is not effective; suggesting
that it would be better to give students community service; recommending that
students should meet the residents to see how they live as well; indicating
that students want to be a part of this community; and, indicating that
students are here to learn.
·
Sean
Quigley, Executive Director, Emerging Leaders, 59 Pennybrook Crescent –
expressing appreciation to Police Chief Duncan for reaching out to the
various community groups; indicating that Project Learn failed because we
failed it collectively as a community; recognizing that the events that took
place on Fleming Drive shocked the city; noting that there was a small number
of students involved in that event; and, advising that the answer is to work
with the community to build a more vibrant and healthy London.
·
Susan
Bentley, 34 Mayfair Drive – advising that the number of students has
increased greatly over the years; indicating that a lot of the houses in
their neighbourhood have become landlord-owned houses; indicating that
Broughdale is not just a street, it is a community; expressing support for
the educational information that the University provides to the students and
the area residents; enquiring as to whether or not people read the
information; and, encouraging everyone to get together to act communally on
these issues.
·
James
Hirsh, 887 Richmond Street – requesting that everyone remember the importance
of the universities and colleges within the community; encouraging the
Committee to look at Project Learn as a whole.
b) clause 2 of the 4th
report of the Town and Gown Committee BE RECEIVED.
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