SAFETY AUDIT REPORT CARD SUMMARY
AUDIT DATE: September 10th, 2012 AUDIT GROUP: Councillor Mike Layton AUDIT AREA: Christine Pits Park- Between Barton Ave, Crawford St, Montrose Ave, Bloor St W., Grace St. and Clinton St. Ward 19 and 20 – Trinity-Spadina Neighbourhood 80 - Palmerston-Little Italy, 93 – Dovercourt- Wallace Emerson – Junction and 95- Annex
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 Councillor Mike Layton, from Ward 19. The audit was audited due to a series of recent sexual assaults in the Bloor St. W. and Christie St. area. The Safety Audit was conducted on September 10th, 2012 between 7:00pm-9:00pm. Approximately 18 individuals ranging in age from 17- 59 years participated, including Councillor Layton. The audit route included places where women were sexually assaulted over the summer.
Ward 19 has a much higher population of people in the 25-34 age range (27.2%) compared to the City at 15.4%.1 The Ward has a lower population of visible minorities (29.3%) compared with the City at 46.9%.2 The Ward also has a slightly higher number of homeowners in the area at 58.3% compared to 54.4% for the City.3
Ward 20 has a higher population of both 20-24 year olds (11.4%) and 25-34 years olds (29.1%) compared to 6.9% and 15.4% in the City respectively.4 The Ward also has a slightly lower percentage of visible minorities (39.2%) compared to the City at 46.9%.5 The Ward has a higher population of renters (62.1%) compared to 45.6% in the City.6
1 http://www.toronto.ca/wards2000/pdf/2006/ward19_popn_page.pdf 2 http://www.toronto.ca/wards2000/pdf/2006/ward19_ethnocultural_page.pdf 3 http://www.toronto.ca/wards2000/pdf/2006/ward19_households_page.pdf 4 http://www.toronto.ca/wards2000/pdf/2006/ward20_popn_page.pdf 5 http://www.toronto.ca/wards2000/pdf/2006/ward20_ethnocultural_page.pdf 6 http://www.toronto.ca/wards2000/pdf/2006/ward20_households_page.pdf
WALKABOUT PHOTO SUMMARY
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 from participants and based on participants concerns.
A - Very Good B - Good C - Ok D - Substandard F– Poor
GENERAL C Half of the participants (50%) stated they only feel safe in the area sometimes, while 43.8% stated they IMPRESSIONS feel safe in the area. Participants had different feelings about safety while they are alone in the area. 43.8% stated they sometimes feel safe while alone in the area, while 31.3% feel safe alone and 25% felt unsafe while they are alone in the area. Slightly more than half (53.8%) of participants stated they sometimes feel safe leaving their home after dark, while 30.8% stated they feel safe. More than half of participants (57.1%) stated they do not avoid doing things in the community because they feel unsafe. However, 21.4% of participants equally stated they avoid things, or sometimes avoid doing things. Reasons for avoiding doing things in the community were because areas are not well lit at night and this makes people nervous, because they are a woman, and because it is isolated and due to the recent sexual assaults. One person stated they are afraid for their safety. Also two people stated they feel safe when people are around and when there is frequent foot traffic. Also one person noted that knowing neighbours and being familiar with business owners would make people feel safer.
A majority of participants (73.3%) stated there are specific areas where they feel unsafe, including: back alleys at night that are not lit; Christie Pits Park, especially the northwest corner and parts that are not lit; on streets, Ossington and College, Dovercourt and Bloor, Bickford Park; behind Christie TTC station and the station at night; alleyways behind homes; behind Banjara; around the fieldhouse; after dark, Page St., near playground at night, Bickford Centre area along Bloor to Christie; Dovercourt drug dealing; men’s clubs, groups outside bars, along Bickford and Harbord, Annex, Little Korea; and cycling on main arteries, especially on Bloor St.
Some people mentioned they felt unsafe where there was poor lighting, little foot traffic, and anywhere that is isolated. One person also stated feeling unsafe depending on the people around and how many people are in a location. Another participant stated the need for more police bike patrols in the area.
A - Very Good B - Good C - Ok D - Substandard F– Poor
SAFETY GRADE SAFETY CONCERNS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION CONTACT FEATURES LIGHTING C Many participants (53.8%) stated the Increase and install brighter lighting Contact Toronto lighting is not good in the area and throughout the area and fix broken lights Hydro about broken 58.3% stated there are areas with in the following areas: lights and clearing broken lights and areas that need - Pendrith St. and Christie St. trees blocking lights more lighting. - Banjara Restaurant at Crawford on City property. Can
St. and Bloor Ave. W. report at this
Many participants (61.5%) stated they - Alex Duff Pool (south end) website:
do not know who to call when lights - Barton Ave. and Euclid Ave. https://www.toronto
are out/broken. - Need more lights on Bloor St. W. hydro.com/sites/elect
along Christie Pits Park and from ricsystem/residential/
More than half of participants (54.5%) Christie to Ossington. customercare/pages/
stated that lights are blocked by trees - Barton Ave. and Christie St., the reportastreetlightout.
and/or bushes. little triangle aspx
- Laneways and alleyways,
More than half of the participants especially alleyway near school Councillor can (54.5%) stated there was not enough on Barton, along Bickford park, distribute information lighting on paths and sidewalks. and Harbord to residents about - At Christie and Barton who to contact when Many participants (64%) stated signs - Many lights out on Barton, City lights are broken and maps are not well lit. including #90 Barton that is an and need to be empty lot replaced. - Around Christie Pits Park, especially northwest corner Contact Councillor to - Alley at Clinton, north of Bloor request more lighting - Nancy Poocock (private road) near paths, sidewalks - Alley near Jersey needs new and near signs. lighting, old lights not bright enough Ask Councillor to host - Lights on Montrose, especially a “Light the Night” near 451 event in the area to - More lights in the parks encourage people to install CFL light bulbs Trees and bushes that are close to lights in their exterior light need to be trimmed in the following fixtures and to keep areas: their porch lights on - Page Street overnight to deter - Bickford Park crime. - Path from Christie St. to playground lights covered by trees - Laneways - Trees on Montrose, especially at 451.
Residents should be given information about who to contact if they see lights that are broken or out within area.
Encourage all residents to keep their porch/front lights on after dark and to install motion sensor lights to illuminate pathways to basement apartments.
Change orange low sodium lights to white LED lights in area.
SIGNS and C Some participants (45.5%) said there Ensure all signs are easy to see and not Contact Councillor to MAPS were not enough signs identifying the blocked by trees. ensure signs are area. While 27.3% were unsure and located in easily seen 27.3% stated there were enough signs. Ensure there are emergency signs, locations. especially in parks and inside buildings. 45% of participants stated signs and Contact Councillor maps are not easy to see and find, Add signs in the area including: regarding the need while 36.4% stated they were. - Location signs in Christie Pits for additional signs as Park, in case of emergencies to noted. 60% of participants stated signs and tell 911 operators of location maps are easy to read and understand. - Christie subway station Contact Councillor - Directions to pool, rink and about installing Majority of participants (83.3%) stated subway emergency signs there are no signs showing where to - On Page St. corners particularly at Christie go for help in emergencies, while some - Street signs warning drivers Pits Park, Bickford participants were unsure (16.7%). about children playing on streets Park and near the in residential areas, ie. Pendrith subway station. 66.7% of participants stated they were St. unsure if emergency exits were easy to - Stop sign at Pendrith St. and find in buildings. Shaw St.
TRAFFIC C+ A majority of participants (72.7%) Ask for an traffic assessment of the area Contact Councillor stated the area needs more crosswalks to consider if a crosswalk and/or traffic and 311 about having and traffic lights. lights are needed in the following areas: a traffic assessment - In front of Christie subway done in the area to Many participants (69.2%) stated station assess the need for traffic in the area is too fast. - South of Barton Ave. and Christie crosswalk, traffic St. lights, speed bumps Half of participants (50%) stated the and/or lower speed area needs speed bumps and/or a Ask for a traffic assessment to determine limit in the area. lower speed limit, while 41.7% if these crosswalks should be replaced disagreed and 8.3% were unsure. by traffic lights; Contact Councillor - on Ossington and Transportation Many people (66.7%) stated there are - near Fiesta Farms Services about adding not enough bike lanes/paths in the traffic signs and area. Assess the need for the following; traffic calmers. - Stop sign at Pendrith St. and Shaw St. Contact Councillor - Traffic calming meridian at about the need for Montrose and Harbord. more bike lanes in the area. Assess traffic in the area to determine if the area needs speed bumps or lower Work with local speed limits. community organizations such as Assess the need for bike lanes in the Cycle Toronto to following areas; promote the need for - Along Bloor St. more bike lanes. - Barton - Ossington St - Christie St - Two way up Shaw or separate green lane up Ossington as Ossington is wide enough to do a totally separate lane complete with barrier and add greenery, plants, and trees to a barren streetscape.
Two people stated the need for more bike lanes everywhere. And one person stated the need for 14 Police Division bike patrol and improved community relations with police officers.
TTC B All of the participants stated they use Ensure all TTC bus stops are well lit and Contact TTC about public transit. have emergency signs. the need for lighting at bus stops, to add 61.5% of persons feel safe on public Install emergency phones near TTC emergency signs at transit, while 23.1% said they only stops. bus stops and to sometimes feel safe using public increase service. transit. Assess bus routes and frequency to determine if there should be an increase Contact Councillor Slightly over half of participants of bus frequency in the area, particularly about the need for (53.8%) stated they feel unsafe while at night. more lighting at bus waiting for the bus at night. Reasons stops in the area and included: the area is not properly lit, for emergency drivers are not alert, people feel the payphones to be surroundings are not safe, area needs located near TTC emergency phones, not enough people stops. Also ask in the area or also waiting for the bus, Councillor to crime against women, and people felt advocate increasing they would be targeted because they bus service in the are women. area. Half (50%) of participants stated they were unsure if buses needed to run later in the night or more frequently. One person stated the subway should be open later or at least until 3am. Another stated all buses need to run later, and one other person stated the Ossington bus needs to run later and/or more frequently.
50% of participants stated there is not enough lighting at bus stops, while some (30%) were unsure.
Half (50%) of the participants stated there are signs showing who to call in the case of emergencies on the TTC, while 40% stated there are no signs.
ISOLATION C Slightly over half (54.5%) of Install emergency phones throughout Contact Councillor participants stated the area does not the area. and about installing look/feel abandoned, while 45.4% emergency phones in stated it did. Work with community members, and area. Councillor to create safe, well lit walking
All participants stated that the area is routes for people in the community. Work with Councillor full of people during the day. However to block off areas 53.8% stated there are few people in Assess areas where people could get where people could the area at night. trapped and what can be done to block get trapped or these areas off. blocked n the area. Some participants (41.6%) stated people would not hear them if they Create a community watch group in Contact Councillor, screamed for help in the area. While conjunction with the local BIA and small BIA and community 41.6% stated they were unsure if business to form a network of places members to create people would hear them. One person people can go to if they need help. safer walking routes noted they would not be heard if they and create a were on a side street. Ensure community members know who community watch to call in case of emergencies in the group in the area. 83.3% of participants stated there are area. not enough working payphones in Contact Crime area. Prevention Association of Some participants (45.4%) were Toronto for unsure if there are different safe, well assistance in creating lit routes people can use in the area, community watch while 36.3% stated there are different groups. safe routes. www.cpatoronto.org
Majority of participants (90%) stated there are areas where someone could block their path.
66.6% of participants stated they were unsure of places close by they could go for help if they were in danger. One person stated that this depended on if it was during the day or night.
VISIBILITY C 63.6% of participants stated they are Ensure the following areas have clear Contact Councillor able to clearly see ahead of them while unobstructed views; and to add more 36.3% stated they could not. - Page St. lighting in area. Ask - Bickford Park to install mirrors to Many participants (60%) stated sharp - Between Ukrainian Centre areas with sharp corners and blind-spots block their - Bend in road outside Christie Pits corners and for all views. Ensure trees in the following areas are trees and shrubs to trimmed to allow for clear visibility be trimmed regularly. Some participants (36.3%) stated that - Dense trees in Christie Pits walls or fences block their view; while - Cut/thin trees around street 36.3% also stated they were unsure. lights 27.2% stated walls and fences did not block their views. Add security mirrors in areas where there are sharp corners, particularly at Some participants (40%) stated trees the following areas; and bushes block their views, while - Near washrooms in fieldhouse 30% equally stated no and that they - In higher crime areas were unsure. - Jersey St. - Outside Christie Pits Half of participants (50%) stated cars - St. Raymond’s townhouse and vehicles do not block their views, parking while 40% stated they do. - Around skating rink - At the end of Pendrith Lane 41.6% of participants stated they can see the end of paths and walkways, One person stated the need for security while another 41.6% stated they mirrors to be installed everywhere but cannot see the end. was also concerned about privacy.
Half of participants (50%) stated there Look at areas where people can hide and should be mirrors to help see around, work as a community to see what while 33.3% were unsure. measures can be done to reduce risk in Many participants stated there are those areas, including adding more places where people could hide and lighting, trimming bushes/trees, and wait for people. According to having motion detection lights. respondents some of the hide-out spots include the following areas; Trees and shrubs need to be trimmed in - Alleyway near Barton and the following areas; Christie - Christie Pits Park - Clinton and Bloor - Bickford Park - Nancy Poocock Place - Washrooms in fieldhouse One participant noted that the running - Quinton 1 building north of path should go full way around Christie Bloor Pits Park. - Bickford Park and Centre - Doorways and planters - In front of baseball house, participant noted the need to paint the wall white not dark green - Treed areas of Christie Pits - Barton and Crawford - Crawford St. by pool is dark
MAINTENANCE C+ More than half of participants (58.3%) Organize a community clean up to clean Contact Councillor to stated that the area is clean and up areas that might have a lot of give residents maintained. garbage. information about who to contact about Some participants stated that there is Residents should be informed about maintenance issues a lot of garbage in the area, while who to contact about maintenance on City property.
others did not agree. issues they see on public property. Including graffiti tagging. Ask Councillor to Some participants stated there was a send out information lot of vandalism in the area, such as One participant stated that bushes on about 311 services. graffiti tagging, while others disagreed. corner properties need to be trimmed Many people stated there were no and that these should be monitored and hate slogans in the area. if they are not cut regularly there should be warnings sent to the home owners. Many participants stated there are no Repaint bike lanes at Montrose. signs showing who to call for maintenance issues in the area and others were unsure.
One participant stated the bike lanes on Montrose needed to be repainted.
ACCESSIBILITY C Some participants were unsure if it is Ensure that all buildings are accessible, Contact property difficult to move around using a including having ramps to entrances, managers of buildings wheelchair and/or stroller while others wide enough doors and automatic doors. and local BIA to stated that it is. ensure buildings are Ensure there are parking spaces for accessible, that there Participants were unsure if there were people with disabilities. are enough accessible parking spaces for people with parking spaces. disabilities, and if there are ramps to Install signs with large print for people buildings in the area. who have visual impairments. Contact Councillor to ensure that City signs Many people were unsure if doorways Ensure all sidewalks and paved surfaces can be easily read by to buildings were wide enough for are flat to ensure people do not trip and people with visual people using wheelchairs or strollers, if that the area is accessible for people impairments. there are working elevators or using wheelchairs and motorized automatic doors in buildings, if signs vehicles. are large enough for people with visual impairments and if mailboxes and doorbells are at heights that people using mobility devices can reach.
SECURITY D Many participants were unsure if there Ensure that there are working security Ask Councillor to are working security and fire alarms in and fire alarms in the area. have a community the area. meeting about area Provide information to residents about security features Many participants stated they were the security features in the community. unsure if there are security features in Contact Councillor to the area like cameras, intercom or Hold a community meeting to discuss if install cameras, mirrors in the area, while 33.3% stated more community security features are mirrors and other there were none. needed in the area. security features in the area. Many participants said there are no Look into installing cameras at specific security guards in the area and some areas of the community, including the were unsure. following areas; - All intersections Some participants stated that the area is patrolled by police but others were One participant stated there should be unsure. Some participants stated they cameras at intersection. were unsure if the police were helpful or respected everyone while others stated they were.
COMMUNITY C- Participants said the following Residents reported the need for more, Contact all levels of and PERSONAL community services are available in housing, youth services, food bank, government SAFETY the area: schools, community centre, community centre, police, community regarding increase in library, housing, police, senior’s health centre, library, schools, and community services services, food bank, community health vigilante justice. and programming. centre, youth services. Ensure that all residents know of Contact community Participants stated the community community organizations that provide members, Councillor needs the following services; housing social services in the area. and community (55.6%), youth services (55.6%), organizations to senior’s services (44.4%), food bank Have a community meeting about the organize community (44.4%), community centre (33.3%), harassment and sexism in the forum on sexual police (33.3%), community health community and how it can be addressed. assaults. centre (33.3%), library (33.3%), schools Particularly work with local business and (11.1%) and vigilante justice (11.1%). community members to create safe Contact local spaces for people to go if someone is organizations and A majority of participants felt unsafe being harassed. Councillor to discuss entering parks in the neighbourhood. increasing housing Some people felt unsafe entering the Create a local media campaign to and youth and senior community centre, schools, and shops. prevent violence against women, programs in area. One person stated they felt including sexism, sexual assaults and uncomfortable at Bloor and Christie, domestic violence people are facing. Contact Councillor to and another stated they feel Flyer the community about the assaults provide information uncomfortable everywhere. that have been happening. Ask people to about services for report incident, to be watchful if they people who are Many participants stated feeling see an assault happening and to be facing domestic unsafe in the neighbourhood because proactive and notify the police. violence. of sexism (77.8%), domestic violence (55.6%), drugs (44.4%), homophobia Have a community forum with the (33.3%), gun violence (33.3%), racism Councillor and local organizations about (22.2%), gangs (22.2%), and increasing housing, youth programs and immigration status (22.2%). One senior’s services in the area. person stated recent sexual assaults have contributed to her feeling unsafe in the community. Another person stated they feel unsafe in the dark and another participant stated “As I said 0 I’m a women and unarmed,” Some measures respondents took to feel safe were as follows; take a leap of faith that they will be ok, not live in fear, stay aware, keep to busy areas, walk in groups, keep cell handy, walk tall, run regularly, let my partner know where I am, always look ahead, know the streets and stay aware, not go to park after dark unless there are people around (ie with dogs), walk on lighted side of the street, avoid parks and cars that have covered the sidewalk, stay on lit streets, band together with my friends.
One participant stated “I accept the fact that I’ll never feel safe anywhere as a woman.”
Many of the participants (81.8%) stated they would know where to get help if they were harassed or faced an incident of violence. Participants stated they could get help from the following places; TRCC/MWAR, sexual assault helpline, Gerstein Centre, a friend, 911, police, rape crisis centre, YWCA, hospital, Assaulted Women’s Helpline, Barbara Schlieffer Clinic, Women’s College Hospital, from bystanders entering shops or going into a public area, dealing with it myself and METRAC
Many people (60%) have heard or witness people being discriminated against in the neighbourhood. This was due to gender/sex, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, gender identity, and immigration status, disability, speaking with an accent, economic status, age, religious beliefs and neurology.
One participant stated the community is not safe due to that face that she is a woman in the community.
One person noted that they were verbally harassed before they attended the audit. They said it happened in broad daylight and they were able to ignore the person calling out to them.
Another participant stated they hope the parks will welcome more dogs with extended off leash house and fenced in areas because this may result in more people and families who will go to the park and reduce the number of criminals, drug dealers, people taking drugs, and gangs.
One participant also noted that there are lots of people out but the assaults are still happening.
CONTACT INFORMATION
CITY CONTACTS
City Councillor: Mike Layton Ward: 19 – Trinity-Spadina Address: 100 Queen Street West, Suite C47, Toronto, ON, M5H 2N2 Phone: 416-392-4009|Fax: 416-392-4100 Email: [email protected]
City Councillor: Adam Vaughan Ward: 20 – Trinity-Spadina Address: 100 Queen Street West, Suite C50, Toronto, ON, M5H 2N2 Phone: 416-392-4044|Fax: 416-392-4130 Email: [email protected]
Toronto Police Services Division – 14 Division Address: 150 Harrison St., Toronto, ON, M6J 2A4 Phone: 416-808-1400|Fax: 416-808-1402 Website: http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/d14/ Community Response Unit Manager: Staff Sergeant Darren Halman Phone: (416) 808-1501
Toronto 3-1-1 (formerly Access Toronto) Phone: 311 | TTY customers: 416-338-0889 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 blocked by trees/shrubs. Also try to have exact location of light (ie. poll # or area/road description.)
LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICES Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre Drop-In Address: 854 Bloor St W, Toronto Phone: 416-534-8941 Website:www.conccommunity.org
Community Action Resource Centre (Drop In & Community Based) Address: 1844 Davenport Road, Unit 1 Phone: 416-654-0299 Website: http://www.communityarc.ca/
Cycle Toronto Address: 720 Bathurst St. Suite 300 Phone: 416-644-7188 Website: http://cycleto.ca/
Kensington-Bellwoods Community Legal Services Address: 489 College St. Ste. 205 Phone: 416-924-4244 Website: http://www.kbcls.org
Salvation Army – Bloor Central Corps Address: 789 Dovercourt Road Phone: 416-532-4511 Website: http://www.salvationarmy.ca
Sistering Address: 962 Bloor St. W. Phone: 416-926-1946 Website: http://www.sistering.org
St. Alban Boys and Girls Club Address: 843 Palmerston Ave. Phone: 416-543-8461 Website: http://www.stalbansclub.ca