SAFETY AUDIT REPORT CARD SUMMARY AUDIT DATE: July 15th, 2011 AUDIT GROUP: Dawes Rd Community Network AUDIT AREA: 10 Gower Street, Ward 31 – Beaches – East York Neighbourhood 54 – O’Connor ‐ Parkview EXECUTIVE SUMMARY METRAC’s Safety Audit looks at how social and physical environments can make an area safe or unsafe. METRAC defines safety as ‘freedom from the threat, fear, and experience of all forms of violence, oppression, and discrimination.’ The Community Safety Audit was organized by the Dawes Road Community Network, because residents felt that crime has increased in the community and they are concerned about their safety. The Safety Audit was conducted on the evening of July 15, 2011, between 8:00‐9:30pm. Fourteen individuals participated including 5 men and 9 women who were between the ages of 33‐80. There were also representatives from a local community agency and the police at the walk. The areas audited were along Dawes Road from Gower St. north to Ferris Road and then back down to Gower St. This neighbourhood has a higher population of children aged 0‐14 years, at 19% of the population, in comparison to the rest of the City.1 The area has a slightly higher percentage of renters, lone parents and lone seniors in comparison to the rest of the City.2 The top four safety priorities identified by the participants were: • Criminal activity (including, drugs, sex work, muggings, gangs, etc.) • Lack of youth services • Maintenance (lights, graffiti, garbage, trees, sidewalks, etc.) • Traffic (speed of cars and lack of crosswalk, etc.) 1
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http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/cns_profiles/2006/pdf1/cpa54.pdf
http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/cns_profiles/2006/pdf3/cpa54.pdf
1 WALKABOUT PHOT\SUMMARY 2 SAFETY PRIORITIES AREA PRIORITIES
1. Criminal Activity There is a lot of criminal activity in the area including the use and selling of drugs, and muggings. There is also concern about gangs and sex work in the area. Dawes Road RECOMMENDATIONS
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2. Lack of Youth Services There are concerns about the lack of services for youth in the area. •
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3. Maintenance There are many maintenance issues in the area including broken lights, graffiti, garbage, untrimmed trees and bushes and uneven sidewalks. •
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4. Traffic Traffic in the area is a concern, specifically the speed of cars and not enough crosswalks. •
Work with community members, local organizations, elected officials, and police to address criminal activity in area. Organize meeting to discuss people’s safety concerns and find solutions that will make people feel safer in the area. Start a Neighbourhood Watch group. Contact elected officials, and local organizations about the need for more youth programming in the area. Hold community meeting for youth and interested groups to brainstorm ideas for programming in the area. Contact Hydro about broken lighting and trees covering lights on City property Call 311 and your Councillor about garbage, untrimmed trees and bushes and uneven sidewalks in area. Contact City Councillor about maintenance concerns in area Contact property managers about maintenance issues on private property. Contact 311 and the City’s Transportation Services’ department about reducing the speed limit in the area, and assessing the need for a crosswalk in the area. 3 OVERVIEW OF SAFETY AUDIT RESULTS The information below is based on the results of the survey and comments made during the safety audit walkabout. Recommendations for action were both stated by participants and based on participants’ concerns. A ‐ Very Good B ‐ Good C ‐ Ok D – Substandard F– Poor General C‐ Half of participants stated they only sometimes feel safe in the area, and only sometimes feel safe in Impressions area when they are alone. Half of participants stated they sometimes feel safe leaving their home after dark, while 41.7% stated they do not feel safe. Some participants stated they avoid, or sometimes avoid doing things in the area because they feel unsafe, while others did not avoid doing things. Some reasons people felt unsafe were: too dark on the streets, drugs, sex work, theft, gangs, groups of individuals hanging out, Duffy’s restaurant has drunk and rowdy customers, drug dealers, drug transactions, many different people in the neighbourhood every week, and one person stated they are highly visible in the community and have called the police a lot regarding criminal behaviours and thereby many people know them including criminals. One participant stated they felt safe because they drive and seldom walk by foot in the area. Many participants stated there are specific areas in the community where they feel unsafe including; bus shelter/stop at Dawes Rd. and Gower St. due to illegal activities there, overgrown hedge in front of 461 Dawes Road, dumpster in front of 516 Dawes Rd., TTC, sidewalks, stores, parks, in front and around Joshua Crockwright Parkette, in front of stores (Fish and chips, Dawes café, Busy Bee), near and around Duffy’s restaurant, pathways from Fish ’n Chips restaurant to 500 Dawes Rd. and parking lot, entire street of Dawes Rd. (500, 506, 508, 510, etc), behind buildings, west side of Dawes in front of pharmacy to Gower St. and north to fish and chips store (area has a lot of drug dealers), Gower Courtyard at night, Dawes Rd. to Victoria Park. 4 A ‐ Very Good SAFETY FEATURES LIGHTING B ‐ Good C ‐ Ok D ‐ Substandard F– Poor GRADE SAFETY CONCERNS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION D Participants stated that the lighting in Increase and install brighter lighting and the area is not good (60%) and there fix broken lights in the following areas: are broken lights and areas that need ‐ Along laneway of Captain more lighting (90.9%). Demont Lane ‐ Dawes Rd. east side near Ferris Many participants (66.7%) did not Rd. know who to call if they saw lights that ‐ Light in front of 510 Dawes Rd were not working or were broken. ‐ All along Dawes Rd. ‐ Beside the buildings ‐ At 504, 506, 508, 510, 516, 518, A majority of participants (90.9%) stated that there are lights blocked by and 534 Dawes Rd. trees/ bushes. ‐ Pole #87 at Fish and Chips store ‐ Clarke’s store Many participants (80%) stated that ‐ Between Captain Demont Lane paths and sidewalks are not well lit. and 500 Dawes Rd. ‐ Pole #15 near Chadwick at north Many participants (88.9%) stated that end signs and maps are also not well lit. ‐ Area around the strip mall ‐ Near stores, especially in the winter ‐ Need more lights at Joshua Crockwright Parkette ‐ Along path to 500 Dawes Rd. ‐ Chadwick co‐op houses Ensure lights are set at proper time to come on when it gets dark, as lights CONTACT Contact Toronto Hydro about broken lights, clearing trees blocking lights, and ensuring lights are on proper timers on City property. Contact Councillor and 311 about installing more lighting along Dawes Rd., near the sidewalks, pathways and signs. Inform residents about who to call when lights are out. Contact property managers about installing more lighting on the property, cutting trees that block lights and ensure lights are 5 SIGNS and MAPS D Many participants said there were not enough signs identifying the area (60%). About half of participants (55.6%) stated signs and maps are not easy to see and find while some were unsure (33.3%). Over half (54.5%) stated signs and maps are not easy to read and understand, while some were unsure between Beth to Ferris only come on after 9:11pm. Trees and bushes that are close to lights need to be trimmed in the following areas: ‐ Joshua Crockwright Parkette ‐ 500, 510, 514, 534 and 600 Dawes Rd. ‐ Apartment buildings west side of Joshua Crockwright Parkette ‐ Along Dawes Rd. between Gower St. and Victoria Park ‐ Chadwick Towers Co‐op ‐ Near Captain Demont Rd. (500 Dawes) Ensure all sidewalks, paths and signs are well lit including the no‐turn sign on Dawes Rd. near Ferris Rd. Add signs in the area including: ‐ Between Gower St. and Victoria Park ‐ At intersection of Dawes Rd. and Ferris Rd. (signs on west side of Dawes Rd. faded) ‐ Add street sign on Beth St., and (no turn sign) at Ferris Rd. and Dawes Rd. (northwest corner) ‐ 516 Dawes Rd sign faded and on proper timers. Contact Councillor and 311 to add signs on public property, including street signs and emergency signs. Ask for new signs to be in clear locations, well lit and in clear font. Ask for trees that are blocking 6 (27.3%) Many participants (75%) stated there are no signs showing where to go for help in emergencies. Some participants stated emergency exits are not easy to find in buildings, while others were unsure. TRAFFIC D A majority of participants (91.7%) stated there needs to be more crosswalks and traffic lights throughout the area. Many participants (83.3%) stated that the traffic in the area is too fast. Many participants (75%) also stated that the area needs more speed bumps and a lower speed limit. falling off signs to be trimmed. Contact property Ensure signs are easy to find by having them in clear positions on the street and managers of private are well lit. Ensure signs are in clear font buildings to add signs to help make them easier to read. on property and having properly Move parking sign for Chadwick Co‐op. signed emergency exits. Trim trees blocking the following signs: ‐ At sign for “500 Dawes Rd”. ‐ “Do not enter” traffic sign in front of 600 Dawes Rd Add emergency signs including where the closest public telephone or emergency phone is located and ensure all buildings have properly signed emergency exits. Have a traffic assessment done in the Contact Councillor area to assess the need for a cross walk and 311 about having or light at the following areas; a traffic assessment ‐ On Dawes Rd. between Gower St. done in the area, to and Ferris Rd. assess the need for ‐ Crosswalk at Beth St. between traffic lights, Ferris Rd. and Dawes Rd. crosswalks, reduced ‐ Victoria Park and Dawes Rd. speed limit along ‐ Stop sign north of Ferris Rd. on Dawes Rd. and to Dawes Rd. ensure traffic lights ‐ Crosswalk across Dawes Rd. are on a long enough 7 Many of the participants (75%) stated there are not enough bike lanes/paths in the area, particularly along Dawes Rd. TTC B‐ ‐
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south of Ferris Rd. South of bus shelter on west side.
Between Victoria Park and Gower (along Dawes Rd.) Assess the need for bike lanes in the following areas; ‐ All along Dawes Rd. ‐ Gower St. Assess if the traffic lights are changing at a time interval that allows people to easily cross the road in the area. Assess the need for traffic barriers at Dawes Rd and Victoria Park. The majority of the participants Ensure that all bus stops are well lit. (66.7%) use the TTC and an additional 16.7% sometimes use public transit. Ensure emergency signs are at all TTC Many participants stated they stops, and stations. generally feel safe on public transit (58.3%) while some (33.3%) stated Install emergency phones near TTC they do not generally feel safe. stops. More than half of participants (54.5%) Assess bus routes and frequency to stated they do not feel safe waiting for determine if there should be an increase the bus at night, while 27.3% stated of bus frequency in the area, particularly they feel safe. in the evening and weekends for the Dawes 23 bus. Participants stated they do not feel time setting for people to cross. Contact Councillor and 311 to assess need for bike lanes to be added. Contact TTC to increase lighting at bus stops, to add emergency signs at bus stops, to increase service. Contact Councillor about the need for more lighting at bus stops in the area, to move garbage can at stop and for emergency phones to 8 safe because of groups of youth and individuals who hang out and harass people, bus shelter is used for drug dealing, muggings at bus shelter at Dawes Rd and Gower St., robbers wait for people beside bus shelter, the area is dark and has a lot of criminal activity along Dawes Rd. in the evening, and because the area feels isolated. Many participants (45.5%) stated they were unsure if bus routes need to run later in the night or more frequently, while some (27.3%) stated yes, and some (27.3%) stated buses do not need to run more frequently. Participants stated the Dawes 23 bus needs to run later. One participant stated that the Dawes 23 bus only runs every ½ hour on Saturdays, Sundays and after 9pm on Mon‐Fri and that it is unsafe to wait that long for the bus. Some participants stated there is not enough lighting at bus stops (36.4%), while some (36.4%) stated there is enough lighting, and others (27.3%) were unsure. Half of participants stated there are no Have a community meeting with the TTC, Councillor, community members, and community organizations to discuss the safety concerns at the Dawes Rd and Gower St. bus shelter to address people’s safety concerns at this location. Clean cigarette butts at bus stop north‐
west corner of Dawes Rd and Gower St. Move garbage can that is chained to pole as it does not allow enough room for people to pass by it safely. be located near TTC stops. Also ask Councillor to advocate increasing bus service in the area. Contact TTC, Councillor and local community organizations to address safety concerns at bus stops. 9 ISOLATION C signs about who to call in case of an emergency on the TTC and 33.3% were unsure. Some participants (40%) stated the area looks/feels abandoned, while some (40%) stated it does not, and (20%) were unsure. A majority (75%) of participants stated the area is full of people during the day. Participants had different opinions about the area at night: 41.7% stated the area is full, while 33.3% were unsure and 25% said the area is not full of people at night. Many participants (58.3%) said that people would be able to hear them if they screamed for help in the area, while 33.3% were unsure. Over half of participants (54.5%) stated there are not enough working payphones in area. Some people (41.7%) stated there are no different safe routes for people to use that are well lit, while 41.7% were unsure. Install emergency phones throughout the area. Work with community members and Councillor to create safe, well lit walking routes for people in the community. Look at areas where people can get trapped and look at how to block off those areas. Start a community watch group in the community so there are places people can go/call if they are in an emergency. Contact Councillor about installing emergency phones in area. Contact Councillor to work with community to create safer walking routes in area. Contact Crime Prevention Association of Toronto (CPAT) and community members about starting a community watch group. Contact Councillor and property managers about blocking off areas where people could get trapped in the area. 10 VISIBILITY C‐ Many participants (60%) stated there are areas where someone could block their path. Half of participants stated that if they were in danger they would have no place close by to go for help, while 33.3% were unsure. Many participants (72.7%) stated they could see clearly ahead of them. Some participants (36.4%) stated sharp corners, and blind‐spots block their view while (45.5%) disagreed, and 18.2% were unsure. Some participants (45.5%) stated that walls or fences blocked their view, while another (45.5%) disagreed. Many participants (72.7%) stated trees or bushes blocked their view. Some participants (45.5%) stated cars/vehicles do not block their view, while 36.4% stated they do. 50% of participants stated they could see the end of paths and walkways. While 33.3% disagreed. Trim trees and bushes blocking sidewalks and pathways in the following areas: ‐ Near Ferris Rd. and Dawes Rd. ‐ overhanging branches ‐ On path to 500 Dawes Rd. ‐ Bushes need trimming at 500 and 506 Dawes Rd. ‐ At front of 514 Dawes Rd (tree by the bus stop) ‐ Along the border of Captain Demont Lane and the property line of 500 Dawes Road ‐ The dead trees and bushes at 516 and 540 Dawes Rd. ‐ Near the fence closest to Chadwick Co‐op on Dawes Rd. Install more lights throughout area to increase visibility. Add security mirrors in areas where Contact 311 and Councillor to trim trees and bushes on public property to increase visibility. Contact Councillor and property managers to add more lighting in area. Ask to install mirrors to areas with sharp corners and for all trees and shrubs to be trimmed regularly. Contact Councillor, property managers and community members to reduce risk in areas where people can hide. 11 Over half of participants (54.5%) stated there should be mirrors to enable them to see around corners. Majority of participants (91.7%) stated there were places for people to hide and wait for people. Participants stated people could hide in the following locations: in Joshua Crockwright Parkette, Captain Demont St., in front of 461 Dawes Rd, behind dumpster in front of Dawes Rd., bus shelter, bushes, parks, between the apartment buildings, laneways, behind buildings, driveway of 514, 500 Dawes Rd., D. C. Parkette, 600 Dawes Rd. fenced area, 516 Dawes Rd large garbage bin and fence, driveways and courtyard of 10 Gower St. there are sharp corners, particularly in the following areas; ‐ On driveways and entrances to apartments ‐ In walkway and laneways to buildings ‐ At back doors to 508 Dawes Rd. ‐ At Dawes Rd. and Gower St. ‐ At 510 Dawes Rd, ‐ Driveway at 506, 508, 510 and 516 Dawes Road. Look at areas where people can hide and work as a community to see what measures can be done to reduce risk in those areas, including adding more lights, etc. Move post boxes between 506 and 510 Dawes Rd as it blocks the sightlines of drivers. Contact owners of mailboxes between 506 and 510 Dawes Rd. to move these. MAINTENANCE D The majority of participants (63.6%) stated the area is not clean or well maintained. Participants (63.6%) stated that there is a lot of garbage and litter in the area. Many participants (66.7%) stated that Address the following maintenance issues: ‐ Ensure area is clear of garbage and litter. ‐ Level out all sidewalks that are uneven and damaged including west side of Dawes Rd. ‐ Dawe’s Cafe awning need to be fixed/repaired Contact 311 and Councillor about maintenance issues in area, including garbage, leveling sidewalks, clearing broken cement and graffiti. 12 there is a lot of vandalism in the area. Some participants (41.7%) were unsure if there were hate slogans in the area, while 33.3% said there were no hate slogans, and 25% stated there were hate slogans in the area. A majority of participants (91.7%) stated there are no signs showing who to call for maintenance issues the area.
One participant stated there is hazardous wiring around the hydro poles near 503 and 489 Dawes Rd. ‐
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Fence with gate at 500 Dawes near Captain Demont Lane that stated “Fire Department Connection” is open and needs to be closed as it is used as a shortcut Clean up bottles and cans outside of 500 Dawes Rd. Clean dog feces at Fish n’ Chips Clear garbage at gate of 500 Dawes Rd. Repave 510 and 514 Dawes Rd. driveway as it is broken and a tripping hazard Detangle wires from trees at Chadwick Co‐op Clear piles of broken cement, rocks, and road garbage at Gower and Dawes on east side of street. Contact owners of private property to maintain and clean their properties. Ask Councillor to send out information about 311 services. Call hydro about exposed wires in area. Call Hydro to clear exposed wires at the following locations: ‐ Poles near 503 and 489 Dawes Rd. ‐ On the ground near Hydro poles at 503 and 489 Dawes Rd. ‐ Pole 73 at 477 Dawes Rd. ‐ Pole in front of 451 Dawes Rd. Graffiti needs to be cleaned at the 13 ACCESSIBILITY C‐ Participants had mixed opinions about the accessibility of the area. Some participants (41.7%) stated they were unsure if it is easy to move around using a wheelchair and/or stroller, while others stated it is not easy (33.3%) and 25% stated it is easy. Over half of participants (54.5%) were unsure if there are enough parking spaces for people with disabilities. following locations; ‐ Clean graffiti on mailbox outside of 506 and 534 Dawes Rd. and at Fish n’ Chips Store ‐ Clean graffiti on fire hydrant in front of 516 Dawes Rd. ‐ Tagging at 534 Dawes Rd. ‐ Fire hydrant at Chadwick Co‐op ‐ Bus shelter at Dawes and Beth on west side of street ‐ 600 Dawes Rd fence Contact property managers and City to clean up areas that have been vandalized. And post signs to discourage vandalism in the area. Residents should be informed about who to contact about maintenance issues. Ensure that all buildings are accessible; including having accessible parking spaces, ramps to entrances of buildings, wide doorways/entrances, working elevators. Install signs with large print for people who have visual impairments. Ensure that mailboxes and other building Contact property managers of buildings to ensure that all buildings are accessible. Contact Councillor about having signs that are readable for people with visual 14 While 36.4% stated there were not spaces are accessible, particularly for enough parking spaces. Participants buildings that have units for people (62.5%) were also unsure if there were using mobility devices. ramps to all buildings in the area and 25% stated there are no ramps. 55.6% of participants stated they were unsure if doorways to buildings are wide enough for people using wheelchairs or strollers while 33.3% stated doors are wide enough. Many participants were unsure if there were working elevators or automatic doors in buildings. Participants were unsure if signs were large enough for those with visual impairments, and some stated they are not. Many participants were also unsure if mailboxes and doorbells were located at heights that people using mobility devices could not reach. impairments that are on city property. 15 SECURITY C‐ Half of participants stated they were unsure if there are working security and fire alarms in the area, while others stated that there were. Half of participants stated there are security features such as cameras, mirrors or intercoms in the area. More than half of participants were unsure if there are security guards in the area while others stated there are no security guards. Half of participants stated the area is patrolled by the police, while the other half was unsure. Half of participants stated that the police were helpful and respectful of everyone, while the other half were unsure. Ensure all buildings have working security and fire alarms. Have a community information evening to discuss the different security features in the neighbourhood and to discuss if there needs to be more. Contact property managers to ensure all buildings have working fire and security alarms. Contact Councillor, local organizations to have a community information evening about security in that area. C‐ Participants said the following community services were available in their area; library (100%), schools (83.3%), police (75%), seniors’ services (66.7%), housing (50%), youth services (33.3%), community health centre (25%), food bank (8.3%), parks (8.3%) and dentist (8.3%). Residents reported the need for more community centres, youth services, food banks, community health centres, seniors’ services, housing, police, schools libraries, and programs for families in the area. Have a community forum where people can discuss some of their safety Contact all levels of government regarding increase in community services and programming. Contact community members, Councillor, community COMMUNITY and PERSONAL SAFETY 16 Participants stated the following services were needed; community centre (75%), youth services (66.7%), food bank (50%), community health centre (41.7%), seniors’ services (33.3%), housing (25%), police (25%), schools (16.75), library (8.3%), programs for adults/mothers/small children/families (8.3%) and parent‐
child (Ontario early years) centre (8.3%). Some participants said they felt uncomfortable entering shops or stores (on Dawes Rd.), parks, and schools in the area. Some participants felt unsafe in the neighbourhood because of drugs, gangs, domestic violence, racism, gun violence, sexism, homophobia and the sex trade in the area. Some measures participants took to feel safe in the area were to work with the community, go out with a group of people, travel in pairs, stay away from dark areas, request more police. The majority of participants (66.7%) stated that if they were harassed or faced an incident of violence, they concerns/needs in the community, why they feel unsafe accessing/entering certain spaces, and how to address harassment in the area. People could also share their personal safety tips. Have a community meeting about the drug issues in the community and how it can be addressed working with local organizations and the police. Have a community meeting with local organizations to address the harassment that people are facing in the community. Work with the local ANC to develop community led workshops to address some of these issues including religious differences, anti‐racism, ableism, classism, etc. Residents stated the following concerns: ‐ Various crimes happening at bus stop north‐west corner of Dawes Rd and Gower St. ‐ Crack dealing and smoking in area organizations and police to organize community forum about safety and harassment concerns in the area. 17 knew where to get help. Participants stated they would call 911, their buildings office, Victim Services, ethnic or religious organizations, stores, homes and women’s shelters. Some participants (41.7%) said they have seen or heard people being discriminated against. While 33.3% said they had not and 25% were unsure. The harassment was due to religious beliefs (80%), race/ethnicity (80%), speaking with an accent (60%), age (40%), disability (40%), sexual orientation (40%), gender identity (40%), economic status (20%), and gender/sex (20%). One person noted concerns about the amount of gangs and drugs in the area.
One person also noted during the walk there was youth meeting in the courtyard at 10 Gower St. and felt that this was intimidating. 18 CONTACT INFORMATION CITY CONTACTS City Councillor: Janet Davis Address: 100 Queen Street West, Suite C57 Phone: 416‐392‐4035 | Fax: 416‐397‐9289 Email: councillor_davis@toronto.ca Toronto Police Services Division – 54 Division Address: 41 Cranfield Rd. Phone: 416‐808‐5400 |Fax: 416‐808‐5402 Website: http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/d54/ Community Response Unit Manager: Staff Sergeant George Mullin Phone: (416) 808‐5419 Toronto 3‐1‐1 (formerly Access Toronto) Phone: 311 | TTY customers: 416‐338‐0889 Email: 311@toronto.ca |Website: www.toronto.ca/311/ Toronto 2‐1‐1 (database of community services and organizations in Toronto) Phone: 211 | TTY customers: 1‐888‐340‐1001 Website: www.211toronto.ca City of Toronto Parks and Recreation Website: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/ City of Toronto Transportation Services Website: http://www.toronto.ca/transportation/ City of Toronto Solid Waste Management Website: http://www.toronto.ca/garbage/ Municipal Licensing & Standards (ML&S) Division Website: http://www.toronto.ca/licensing/index.htm City of Toronto Apartment Standards Website: http://www.toronto.ca/apartmentstandards/home.htm Toronto Hydro Electric System (Streetlights) Phone: 416‐542‐3195 |Website: www.torontohydro.com Note: Contact about lights that are out and also that are blocked by trees/shrubs. Also try to have exact location of light (ie. poll # or area/road description. 19 LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICES Warden Woods Community Centre Address: 74 Firvalley Court Phone: 416‐694‐1138 ext 126 Website: http://www.wardenwoods.com/ Working Women Community Centre Address: 1527 Victoria Park Ave. East Phone: 416‐750‐9600 Website: http://www.workingwomencc.org/programs‐services/community‐hub/ WoodGreen Community Services Address: 1533 Victoria Park Ave Phone: Phone416‐615‐1515 Website: http://www.woodgreen.org/ Action for Neighbourhood Change Address: 3079 Danforth Avenue Phone: 416-693-8677
Website: http://www.anccommunity.ca/toronto.html 20