Marianne Meed Ward
I’ve recently been approached by residents who watched in horror, as we all did, when racial hate exploded into a tragic loss of life in Charlottesville, Virginia; they wondered what policies Burlington had in place for use of public spaces.
The most relevant policy is our Zero Tolerance policy. The policy aims to ensure “measures are in place so that incidents of violence or inappropriate behaviour do not occur in its programs, facilities and properties.”
The principle is that everyone from organizers to participants, has “the right to be safe and to feel safe while attending a program, facility or property.”
Unacceptable behaviour in city facilities (including parks) includes, but is not limited to:
- violence or vandalism
- racial or ethnic slurs
- loud verbal assaults directed at participants, referees, members of the public and City staff deemed to be aggressive or intimidating or having the objective of inciting violence
- threats and attempts to intimidate
- throwing of articles in a deliberate or aggressive manner
- aggressive approaches to another individual
Organizations and the general public using Parks & Recreation programs, facilities and properties “must take primary responsibility for the behaviour of all associated with them: participants, officials, spectators, patrons, parents, etc.”
My Take: We always must remain vigilant against hate, racism, and discrimination. We are not immune. Just a week ago a resident called me to report racist graffiti on a city bench downtown; graffiti was spray painted on a church that was recently burned by suspected arson. We have an obligation to set a standard for appropriate conduct, and enforce it. We can also lead the way by supporting and embracing diversity. A great example recently was the One Burlington festival at Central Park, bringing faith and cultural groups together to foster unity and celebrate compassion, kindness and mutual respect. Good news: organizers plan to make it an annual event. Thanks to everyone who volunteered to bring this event to Burlington and the public who attended.
Marianne I think the resident would like to know if the City has a plan in place to keep the public safe should a protest turn bad. The Zero Tolerance Policy that the City has in place will not keep anyone safe should there be a public protest that goes wrong. Many of the festivals have long stretches of Brant Street as pedestrian walkways – perhaps some barriers need to be in place to prevent any vehicle from being able to get through a crowd of people.
Barriers are installed for every road closure with police presence at busy intersections.
What type of barrier?
haven’t you seen the latest and greatest militarization of the halton police services penny?
https://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/7265629-halton-police-gets-three-new-specialty-vehicles/
Gary, thank you for the update…Let’s hope it is in Burlington if needed.
let’s hope we never need that armored tank of a vehicle.
totally agree
Marianne, I got the impression from the question asked was what procedures the City has in place should there be a protest and how the public would be kept safe if something did occur.
Does Burlington ever have protests I wonder? That’s usually what brings out the worst in people
Yes, most recently an anti-abortion demonstration at Central Park. A few months back.
Tim Salisbury I’m sure the city will continue to strive for improvements on all fronts. I am blessed to be living in this city.
I see protests at Fearmans about once a week. Peaceful, mostly just people holding up signs with photos of pigs encouraging us not to eat them.
Very good to know thx.