March 11, 2025 - Minutes
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Community Safety Committee
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Date: |
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Councillor Alexa Loo, Chair |
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Also Present: |
Councillor Chak Au Councillor Carol Day Councillor Michael Wolfe |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
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MINUTES |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on February 11, 2025, be adopted. |
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CARRIED |
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NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE |
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April 15, 2025, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room. |
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DELEGATION |
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1. |
Kody Millar, expressed concerns with regards to the installation of high-resolution cameras at intersections, and spoke on the following: |
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privacy issues for residents; |
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the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioners’ (OIPC) recommendations to not move forward with the cameras; |
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studies in the UK that did not provide sufficient evidence that cameras reduce crime; |
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cameras will not enhance public safety; |
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data storage and access concerns; and |
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examining less invasive options. |
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Discussion then ensued with regard to (i) camera footage assisting police investigations, (ii) signage advising of recording, and (iii) the storage of videos. |
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LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION |
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2. |
Business Licence Activity Report – Q4 and 2024 Year in Review (File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 7967315) |
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In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) no further complaints have been received regarding Tokyo Beauty, (ii) there have been no new long form prosecutions this year, only continuations, and (iii) there are enforcement options for short-term rentals ranging from educational warnings to court orders. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Business Licence Activity Report – Q4 and 2024 Year in Review”, dated February 14, 2025, from the Director, Community Bylaws & Licencing, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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3. |
Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – January 2025 (File Ref. No. 12-8375-02) (REDMS No. 7960588) |
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In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) parking violation increases can be attributed to the hard work of staff and the licence plate recognition technology, and (ii) adding Sturgeon Banks as a non-permitted dog area can be examined. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – January 2025”, dated February 14, 2025, from the Director, Community Bylaws & Licencing, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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4. |
RICHMOND FIRE-RESCUE MONTHLY ACTIVItY REPORT – January 2025 (File Ref. No. 09-5140-01) (REDMS No. 7961991) |
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In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the maps only show a generalized area of the incident, (ii) the Richmond Emergency Programs Department was invited to participate in a 4 day exercise with RCMP E Division, and (iii) the exercise allowed for both agencies to collaborate and practice emergency preparedness response during a major event such as the FIFA World Cup event. |
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Discussion took place on (i) the opioid overdoses, (ii) potential reasons for the increase, and (iii) how to warn the community of bad product, and as a result of the discussion the following referral motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That staff examine compiling a comprehensive list of agencies that have access to information related to the Opioid overdoses and report that information back to Council. |
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The question on the referral motion was not called as Committee requested that additional information be provided with regards to who issues warnings for bad drug batches to ensure the community is aware. |
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The question on the referral motion was then called and it was CARRIED. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – January 2025”, dated February 10, 2025, from the Fire Chief, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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5. |
FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING |
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Designated Speaker: Fire Chief Jim Wishlove |
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Items for discussion: |
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None. |
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6. |
RCMP MONTHLY ACTIVItY REPORT – January 2025 (File Ref. No. 09-5350-01) (REDMS No. 7938543) |
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In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) strategies are being examined to address multiple calls for service from certain individuals, (ii) there are certain rules and exceptions that apply where an individual can not be arrested for drug use, however the police still have the power to take enforcement action against individuals engaging in illegal activities outside of those parameters, and (iii) if there is an area or issue identified, and enforcement approach can be applied. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report – January 2025”, dated February 10, 2025, from the Officer in Charge, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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7. |
RCMP/OIC BRIEFING |
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Designated Speaker: Chief Supt. Dave Chauhan |
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Items for discussion: |
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None. |
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8. |
MANAGER’S REPORT |
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None. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (4:56 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. |
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_________________________________ |
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Councillor Alexa Loo |
Sarah Goddard |