Speeding is a top complaint- it is time to take it seriously.
Before the start of this term of council speeding was high on the list of complaints, so much so that I had it as one of my 5 issues on my election literature. Recently I sponsored SLOW DOWN signs to raise awareness of neighbours speeding on neighbours. The signs are 5 dollars and can be picked up on my front porch 255 Wellington street.
After talking to many residents who purchased the signs I was asked to bring up a discussion at council about an increase in traffice enforcement. On June 23rd I asked that the following Notice of Motion be entered so we can discuss traffic enforcement in a public and tranparent manner, ” That council have a discussion about a traffic enhancement in the OPP contract”. Having a conversation like this would be healthy even if we decided to wait on going forward or to ask for an opinion from the Police Service Board. Afterall, is it not the The Town who pays for the contract? Town council sets the level of service NOT the Police Service Board. The Police work for us and council works for you.
The Essex Mayor has declined this Notice of Motion citing procedural/operational reasons. The Mayor is of the opinion that this request should firstly be made through the Police Service Board Chair who could bring this to a future Police Service Board Meeting. To me that seems very unprofessional and not appropriate for a fellow councillor to direct a Police Service Board Chair. Should not all of council be involved? Should this not be fully transparent? What is the harm is having this discussion with council? Even the police service board chair said after the policing survey in our town, ” Vice Chair, Kim Verbeek, Councillor stated that in the community policing survey one prominent response was that members of the public felt disconnected and uninformed.” We can do better.
Our public keep complaining about speeding and they do not know what next steps if any council is going to take. Having continued public discussions is how we are going to solve problems in a more proactive manner rather than reactive. It is time to show our community we hear their concerns are ARE working on solutions- not just yard signs.
I am also still waiting for our Police Service Board meetings to be posted on YouTube, when or if that happens I will let you know.
