I grew up in Owen Sound and the current conditions in our downtown and the fact our mayor and council have their heads in the sand is deplorable. Let's remember this inaction when the next election rolls around and put someone who cares about our community on our council!
My husband and I purchased a house close to the downtown business area in 2118 so that we could enjoy the nearby shopping, the cultural activities, the restaurants and the River scenery. With functional city services and enforcement this should still be that way. The Mayor is not a dictator, but our present Council, with two exceptions, treats him as such. Our police need to be willing to do things that make their day less unstressed. Time for a civil citizen revolt! We love out town too much to see it destroyed from its heart. Organize civilian patrols as the Indigenous people have done in Winnipeg? These would stand in place until police come and do something. Knives? Video. Get more street cameras? Ex Addicts involved? I have no set ideas, but experienced citizens would. No business person or citizen can face this stuff alone. I love this City! Does our Mayor?
I share your concern that the downtown area of Owen Sound has become home to many individuals who are afflicted by homelessness, drug addiction and mental health issues. I note that you suggested that civilian patrols might help "until police come and do something".
This is the actual crux of the problem. Let's have a look at the "do something" part of that idea. Do what? The police can only arrest so many people. There are two holding cells. What would you charge them with? Being stoned? Having drugs on their person? There is no law that people must have a home like there was at one time. Possession of narcotics might stick but so what - they are processed and released immediately or the next day after a bail hearing (or several days as bail court is not a daily occurrence).
These people, Owen Sounders, whether anyone likes it or not are in desperate need. They are not the problem - they are victims of the problems. What is required is care facilities, housing, medical help.
Hello Mayor "Not My Problem" Boddy. You are standing on the doorstep of City Hall and an unconscious person lying at your feet saying it is the county's problem. Nonsense. It is our city and it is our collective problem. You can't wash your hands of it.
And as for those of you who think the answer to the problem is "to get rid of them" ... well, I care a lot more about them than you and your precious River District.
Maybe the reason the cops couldn’t find the guy with a knife is because the cops were looking for the guy with an ax. Just so you know they caught the guy with the ax.
I believe that was a different day – we were informed about the ax-wielding man threatening a business owner. However, there has not been a media release from police.
I am worried about the hostilities people are having towards each other, believing they need to carry weapons for protections. I am not scared myself because I don’t instigate conflict but some people are getting angry.
It would be wonderful if our city had some sort of plan for revitalizing our downtown. We share all the concerns addressed in the article. As concerned citizens and taxpayers we would be happy to be involved with some sort of plan, the problem as we see it is that there does not seem to be a plan. How can citizens get involved???????
I grew up in Owen Sound and the current conditions in our downtown and the fact our mayor and council have their heads in the sand is deplorable. Let's remember this inaction when the next election rolls around and put someone who cares about our community on our council!
My husband and I purchased a house close to the downtown business area in 2118 so that we could enjoy the nearby shopping, the cultural activities, the restaurants and the River scenery. With functional city services and enforcement this should still be that way. The Mayor is not a dictator, but our present Council, with two exceptions, treats him as such. Our police need to be willing to do things that make their day less unstressed. Time for a civil citizen revolt! We love out town too much to see it destroyed from its heart. Organize civilian patrols as the Indigenous people have done in Winnipeg? These would stand in place until police come and do something. Knives? Video. Get more street cameras? Ex Addicts involved? I have no set ideas, but experienced citizens would. No business person or citizen can face this stuff alone. I love this City! Does our Mayor?
I share your concern that the downtown area of Owen Sound has become home to many individuals who are afflicted by homelessness, drug addiction and mental health issues. I note that you suggested that civilian patrols might help "until police come and do something".
This is the actual crux of the problem. Let's have a look at the "do something" part of that idea. Do what? The police can only arrest so many people. There are two holding cells. What would you charge them with? Being stoned? Having drugs on their person? There is no law that people must have a home like there was at one time. Possession of narcotics might stick but so what - they are processed and released immediately or the next day after a bail hearing (or several days as bail court is not a daily occurrence).
These people, Owen Sounders, whether anyone likes it or not are in desperate need. They are not the problem - they are victims of the problems. What is required is care facilities, housing, medical help.
Hello Mayor "Not My Problem" Boddy. You are standing on the doorstep of City Hall and an unconscious person lying at your feet saying it is the county's problem. Nonsense. It is our city and it is our collective problem. You can't wash your hands of it.
And as for those of you who think the answer to the problem is "to get rid of them" ... well, I care a lot more about them than you and your precious River District.
Maybe the reason the cops couldn’t find the guy with a knife is because the cops were looking for the guy with an ax. Just so you know they caught the guy with the ax.
I believe that was a different day – we were informed about the ax-wielding man threatening a business owner. However, there has not been a media release from police.
I am worried about the hostilities people are having towards each other, believing they need to carry weapons for protections. I am not scared myself because I don’t instigate conflict but some people are getting angry.
It would be wonderful if our city had some sort of plan for revitalizing our downtown. We share all the concerns addressed in the article. As concerned citizens and taxpayers we would be happy to be involved with some sort of plan, the problem as we see it is that there does not seem to be a plan. How can citizens get involved???????