City Council approves pilot project to enhance security in downtown core

BRANTFORD, ON – At their meeting held Tuesday December 15, 2020, Brantford City Council approved a four-month pilot project that will see an enhanced security program promptly implemented in the City’s downtown core and surrounding neighbourhoods. The plan was developed in response to a rise in nuisance and petty crime incidents on and in the vicinity of numerous City facilities and properties within the downtown and will include implementation of a 24/7supervised security patrol throughout the downtown and neighboring communities to various housing sites, parks and City facilities within Ward 5 and select City owned seniors housing sites in Ward 1.  

The City’s new Security Technical Specialist’s first priority has been to address the urgent need for increased security presence in the downtown core which will involve additional security personnel, including a supervisor and marked vehicle throughout the day as well as in the evenings, late nights and weekends.

In February 2020, the Province established the CCTV Grant program as part of Ontario’s Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy to support Police Services and communities in enhancing public safety. In November 2020, the City received a one-time funding grant of $123,000, which will cover 50% of the budget needed to implement the CCTV system in the City’s downtown core. The Corporate Security Program and Downtown CCTV System project is currently on the pre-approval list for the City’s 2021 capital projects and has a projected total cost of $246,000.

“I’m encouraged to see Council support this initiative”, said Mayor Davis. “It is an important first step in helping reduce instances of disruptive crime (such as thefts) that are unfortunately on the rise in some areas of the city. I’m confident that this approach to optimize and expand security services of City owned buildings into the downtown, and surrounding areas will effectively help to deter this type of disturbing activity. This decision reflects Council’s commitment to enhancing public safety.”

“Important to the success of this initiative is working collaboratively with our community partners including, Brantford Police Services, Wilfred Laurier Special Constable Service, the Downtown Brantford Business Association, the Brantford Public Library and others to help inform long term security solutions to achieve common goals”, said Lise Sordo, Director of Facilities Management and Security. “We expect to collect useful information from this pilot program to inform the development of a more permanent solution moving forward.”

Improving the City’s security presence in the downtown and surrounding areas is expected to deter criminal activity and enhance public safety. The recommended expansion will provide the necessary immediate coverage and allow staff the necessary time to investigate and report back with a more permanent and holistic approach to Corporate Security.

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Media Contact: 

Maria Visocchi Director, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | Office: 519.759.4150 Ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca