Ex-Policy Advisor to the Mayor, Kelcey, misses the mark.
Brian Kelcey wrote an editorial in the Free Press claiming the Downtown BIZ is making contradictory statements about downtown safety. My message has always been that downtown Winnipeg is in reality safer than many people think - which is supported by the stats, and even publicly reiterated by the WPS Police Chief himself,and on many occasions. Looking at the police's Crimestats website, you can see that there are less incidents in the area that most people think of as 'downtown'. Does that mean that there are no safety issues downtown? By no means. There are crime issues downtown, as there are throughout the city. But Perhaps these are better labelled as social issues: panhandling, homelessness, intoxication, and not crime. As downtown is the face of our city, attracting thousands of people every day--and with some people's existing perceptions that downtown is unsafe--it makes sense that there would be a special attention given to the heart of our city when it comes to safety.
Kelcey, you are dead wrong if you are implying that the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ isn't about fixing Winnipeg's downtown safety problems, but rather, just spends its time as a "spin doctor." I invite you to read about the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ's safety focus on our website www.downtownwinnipegbiz.com and the many, many programs that we have initiated and supported to address the issues that plague our great downtown. Consider the fact that over $1.2 million is spent by the business community to enhance downtown safety, dozens of editorials championing for the need for continued progress and change, and much time and energy poured into addressing issues in a variety of ways.
And Kelcey, it's not a matter of Watch over Police or Cadets. It's a matter of both, more, and working together. Would he do away with resident patrols as well, as the Cadets increase their presence throughout the City? However, Kelcey is right that the safety issues downtown are largely related to social issues and not just crime. Panhandling, public intoxication, aggressive panhandling, urinating, loitering, gangs of kids hanging out - all are an issue. But these issues are not crimes. And lumping and confusing these issues as crimes is just plain wrong and misleading the public about crime downtown.
The BIZ has always advocated that current Crimestats, specific to the downtown, be used by media when reporting on downtown safety and crime. And public survey after survey, including surveys undertaken by some media outlets, indicate that the media have played a role in creating negative perceptions about downtown safety. Some media continue to sensationalize crime, and this is hurting our downtown. The BIZ will continue to champion these issues, but please don't conveniently confuse this challenge by citing the BIZ is spinning the message in order to deflect the issue.
I want downtown to succeed. It's not going to succeed if its representatives can't be candid about the scale of the problem residents and visitors are struggling with.
With this in mind, my reply to this post is here:
http://www.stateofthecity.ca/front-page/2011/10/14...
I am volunteeering to moderate said debate and to broadcast it on my podcast.
Marty Gold
Mr. Kelcey must have missed the FP stories on the BIZ demanding action, after the story broke. And frankly speaking the AC issue has indeed allowed us to press our stakeholders to quicken the pace of change. See some of our lobbying efforts play by play, here:
http://www.dsnwinnipeg.com/lobbying.cfm
But here is the truth. The BIZ has been demanding and taking action, years, months and even days leasing up to the AC incident. Our organization does not wait until there is a crisis, and then huff and puff in the media. We have been building partnerships and encouraging action, slowly but surely, we are starting to see positive changes in dealing with Downtown Safety,
Directly
1. The Outreach Program
2. The Cadet Program, 50 new Cadets, came from much lobbying and a commitment to increase these number to 200 patrols
3. WPS New Office, Central Downtown
4. Measurable, increased foot patrols by WPS
5. Increased Watch patrols in 2011 with 10 new evening patrols
6. 2011 Provincial Election Forum on the Downtown, leading to a public commitment of 50 WPS officers by the NDP
7. The Bell Hotel, Downtowns 1st Supportive Housing project
8. CEO Sleep-Out raising awarness and advocating for long term solutions. Read prior post.
Indirectly
-Successfully lobbying for for more housing (new residential housing incentive program)
-Advocating for the creation of complete districts, fully developed destination where people will want to hang out on our city sidewalk, shops, patios, spaces, other
-More supportive housing
-Other
We all want the downtown to succeed. We are as candid as can be. Our public record on issues and solutions speaks for itself.
Please spend some time reading our blogs and our editorials and viewing our programs that are indeed helping. And then pass judgment.
http://www.downtownwinnipegbiz.com/home/safety/saf...
Seems to me Kelcy is simply wanting the spotlight but can only do so by telling lies and forcing people to repsond.
Both the Free Press and the Sun fully know that downtown safety and crime is an issue for the BIZ.
And its ludicrous to think that Brodbeck, Kelcey, other, think that the BIZ feels that “downtown crime does not exist”, or that we are not advocating for more resources. They must subsribe to that school of thought that if you continue lying, people will eventually believe you.
Our programs, editorials, and public record in the media truly paint an accurate picture of our concerns. Why would we do this, if crime and safety was not an issue?
The BIZ does not make a habit of calling out our politicians or leaders in a public way, e.g. - in the media. We suspect people like Kelcey/ Brodbeck make their living this way. But thats not how we accomplish things on this side of the fence. If we need to talk to them, we simply pick up the phone, ask for a meeting, or invite them to speak to our board. But we don't wait until issues arise. We are pro-active.
As noted in prior posts, much has been accomplished by working together. And there is more to come.
But it does make for coffee talk though, as evident…