Community Safety and Well-Being Plan

Right to housing, robust supports for physical & mental health/well-being, emergency services related to mental health, basic income program

Supports for Individuals/Families

A safe community is one where people know their neighbours, respect themselves and others, where everyone is valued and included in decision

Improve the environment for walking

Roads are hostile. Vehicles are obnoxiously loud, speeding is common place, and drivers are aggressive. It is as though there is zero enforcement.

Make sure have proper accessibility for everyone, that includes children to seniors. Have proper lighting, and safe separate bike lanes.

Ending the sstigma that is associated with Hamilton

Ensure a diverse government

Our government should accurately reflect those in the community to be able to speak to inequities and hate incidents of specific groups.

Messaging from the top down and funding from the bottom up.

Researchers across North America and Europe recommend that messaging and behaviour president must come from those in government and law enforcement. Those in places of power must condemn acts of hate and more importantly hate motivated thinking processes and attitudes. Less than one third of all hate incidents are reported to police, which means the numbers reported each year represent a fraction of victims. Fear of retaliation, fear of further victimization by police, language barriers, and a lack of understanding are the top reasons why people don't report. People in power need to live the message and hand the power to grassroots movements and non-profit organization to mobilize and collaborate to ensure services are in place to support victims and intervene with perpetrators. Governments and law enforcement agencies need to be prepared to recognize that their policies and practice are directly prohibiting victims from reporting and be ready to make difficult and sweeping changes. Tokenism and messages of "togetherness" are not enough to solve hate crime. It is no secret in Hamilton that bias, racist, and oppressive practices are rampant in city council and police services; why would a victim report victimization to their abuser? A prime example of this is the current issue with HWDSB Trustees. It is clear from a victim perspective that racism is okay in hamilton and in hamilton schools. Studies are clear that this type of power hoarding and intentional disregard will perpetuate hate motivated thinking and behaviours among perpetrators. Further, hate crime will not be impacted in any meaningful way until there are sweeping changes in the police service. Year after year we see the treatment of marginalized citizens by police and rail against the overconfidence, power hungry, and militant practices. Yet, nothing changes and the city continues to cling to old ideas of law enforcement. Every time there is an incident such as the recent video of police lunging at a trans woman who was simply trying to explain her side of a story, there is a baffled response by government and police. That officer victimized an individual that is in a demographic that experiences the most violent forms of hate crime. Why would she report to police? Our police service and their practices perpetuate violence in our city and are nowhere near being able to address hate crime in any meaningful way. Such behaviour by officers is clearly acceptable and encouraged, otherwise it wouldn't happen, particularly when the officer knows they are on camera. It is important to note that hate crime has a reverberation effect that can be global in nature. This means that every victim who saw that video is now less likely to report to police and more likely to be victimized again. They are more likely to experience trauma and not recieve supports. When we call for defunding police, we don't mean get rid of the police. We mean redirect the overabundance of funding that allows for the purchasing of militarizing equipment and capital purchases to projects such as this that require significant, long term, sustainable funding of non-profits and grassroots groups to prevent incidents, support victims, educate the public, and intervene with perpetrators. Police would have to be involved less if the Hamilton City government adopted funding policies that were based on research and not fear.

Defund the HPS

The HPS (Hamilton police) have been shown to be guilty of targeting vulnerable populations and minorities in Hamilton. We need to start defunding them and re allocating the funds to help our community. They only act as bullies protecting private property. They do not help our community. The force has a huge systemic racism and sexism problem that cannot be solved with more money. It is deep rooted. We need new systems to address our community's issues.

Uphold higher standards for leadership

Leaders of our community need to be empowered to uphold a standard of social inclusion and to take a stand against hate whenever they see it. They also need to be held accountable when they do not model a spirit of inclusivity and equity. Hate has no place in Hamilton, and hate crimes need to be addressed by our city, not just buried.

Change how the police are funded

The police have become the one stop shop for every social issue which doesn't make sense. If the city and anchor institutions refuse to consider defunding the police then at least change how the money is used to better train the police on being better able to work with racialized/queer/low income/disabled people. Hire crisis workers through the police budget. Do more friendly, community policing.

Better and free access to mental health services. Put people in jail longer when they’ve committed crimes of violence.

Mental health care, harm reduction services, income supports and affordable, supportive housing

Have more in-depth free mental health care for those committing violent crimes. Have early interventions and counselling for perpetrators and victims of domestic violence. Offer harm reduction services for this with substance use disorders. Get people into appropriate affordable housing. Lift people out of poverty by advocating to increase minimum wage Ontario works and ODSP rates. .

Offer City resources to support the growth of Restorative Justice programs in Hamilton

Offer start-up grants, office space or whatever is needed by those who would offer RJ programs. Review the leadership of Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council and Community Justice Initiatives and seek their guidance on emulating their work in Hamilton.

Courts support Police! Seems so many problems are from repeat offenders or those out on Probation! The HPS must feel that their hands tied!

Stricter Courts?? Answer isn't easy!

I was extremely upset, to put it mildly, when a week ago a Resident Dr. @ a Hamilton Hospital said that he was afraid to bring his young family to live with him in Hamilton due to the high crime rate in Hamilton! He hasn't been with them since June/20, how extremely sad is that! He thought that they were safer in USA!!! I was so shocked & that was such an emotionally upsetting thing to hear! I mentioned some areas that appear to be safer ie. Stoney Creek, Waterdown, Ancaster, Hamilton Mtn. etc.! The Hamilton I grew up in used to be such a safe place!! I don't know the solution really wish that I did!

Educational Campaigns to Reduce Stigma

There is a lot of support for people in the community experiencing mental health concerns, but a lack of education for families and community members to support people. Increase support to families of people with mental health concerns and provide practical ways for families and friends to support people they love.

Police should not be left alone with persons in crisis. Mentally ill people may have difficulty reporting abuse and need an advocate present

Police are currently allowed to physically and emotionally abuse prisoners before they transfer them to medical care, with the only witness being the victim. It's often difficult for a victim to revisit this trauma, and they may not have complaints taken as seriously as someone without a mental illness, making this system dangerous and unfair. A medical professional acting as patient advocate should be present to witness and report on abuse.

Not penalize people on a sudden decision to hurt themselves & realize they weren't going to but the Police take away license for 3 months!

Need better Mental Health support Not Punishment!

A don’t judge social media/ad campaign focusing on showing everyday people that suffer, but get treatment, for their illness. Positive ads

A way to get mental health resources in current lockdown for those that have no programs available through phone or internet. The forgotten

Build designated encampment areas that provide for basic hygiene and safety needs

Outdoor handwashing stations, outhouses, feminine hygiene products, small personal shelters (cabins?), even shower and laundry facilities. Making it possible to keep dignity (hygiene, security) in tact while a person is suffering homelessness/ addiction will make it easier for people to bridge the gap back into 'society' when they are ready.

Access to Care

Allowing better access to care and to resources such as housing options and mental health care and other services for the homeless and everyone else who could be struggling in the community with housing or homelessness. Making them feel like they are part of the greater community and not looked down upon by anyone.

Expropriate vacant potential housing units for affordable housing

Investors leaving units empty has not reached prominence in Hamilton to the same level as Toronto and Vancouver, but it's better to address the issue before it becomes a problem. Review the leadership of Montreal and Barcelona on this matter: 1. https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/montreal-claims-first-right-of-refusal-on-300-properties-for-social-housing 2. https://scoop.me/barcelona-affordable-housing-policy-apartments/

Make it possible to live without a car

Owning a car carries costs to the city, and individual. Make it possible to live without one by investing in transit and active transportation and eliminate minimum parking requirements for multi-tenant housing.

build affordable & supportive housing ASAP - change bylaws to permit modular housing

Connect individuals to valuable resources - "You don't know what you don't know”

Income - regular work, part-time work, gig work, EI, social services, etc - how do we help get access to the right supports when that income is gone? It is often difficult to access financial supports when a job is lost, benefits end, families separate, or illness occurs. Just telling someone to apply for EI, OSAP, job retraining, ODSP or Ontario Works isn’t always enough. Not everyone qualifies, and sometimes we need to do more than just point, or tell someone to look at an unclear website, but instead EXPLAIN why and how. Some individuals or families are just past the cut-off threshold for support yet are struggling to pay for their home, food or transportation. Then what? What happens when individuals are unsure of WHAT questions to ask or WHO to ask to get access to a resource or service. Anyone can fall through the cracks because someone tells them NO and they don't know where to go next. This applies to youth and adults of all ages; educated or not, experienced or not - if someone tells you No, how many people just stop in their tracks? Then add in barriers. If individuals do not have family or community supports, do not feel safe, struggle with physical or mental health challenges, feel marginalized or racialized, will they push forward or feel that no one will listen? Why make individuals work so hard just to get the information they need? Most would help a friend learn about resources when they ask, so why not help our community? Create a "Resource Person" role within our city to help guide all individuals to the services they need. Make the role accessible virtually, over the phone or in person. This is not a social services worker or reception role, but a person who can actively assist individuals to learn how to access resources or services. We also need to consider how much work or how many "clicks" it takes to access a resource, and if it is accessible or clear to everyone. By providing a clearer path we can help individuals get to where they WANT to be, not where they end up.

Accessibility

Jobs are in Hamilton and there are a lot of jobs that are to be had however people's way of getting there may not be so good. if there was better access to public transportation and/or other ways to get to places in the city, more jobs may be had creating more stimulating in the Hamilton economy and more money for everyone.

Sidewalks to Be Plowed

It is time for sidewalks to be plowed. The elderly especially need access for than most. This issue has been batted around on council forever. Despite that Ancaster residents pay for sidewalk clearing, this option should also be available to other areas. It is especially important that sidewalk routes to schools be cleared. It is time to act on this, it is a access and a safety issue for all.

Support for a Universal Basic Income and equitable access to post secondary education

Access to adequate income is a symptom of a much larger systemic problem. The City needs to actively join the voices of social services and citizens calling for the Provincial and Federal Government to step up and provide a universal basic income. Families works several jobs and still can't make ends meet. "Pulling up the boot straps" and working more is not a solution to earning more. Whether an individual is supported by Ontario Works or multiple jobs, they do not have the supports they need to meet their needs. OW perpetuates a cycle that is nearly impossible to get out of permanently. The City must champion our low-socioeconomic status citizens to our provincial and federal government for a Universal Basic Income. The Federal Government determined that people need a minimum of $2000 per month to pay basic expenses. This still falls short considering the cost of rent and food in our city. It is impossible in this forum to go into all of the nuances of how the current social support system is oppressive and prohibits people from getting out but here are a few points; - Being forced to take out enormous loans to attend post secondary school is prohibitive. The cost of school is not the only barrier facing those who cannot afford tuition. Equitable solutions that ensure people have a safe place to live, reliable transportation to campus, food, and mental health supports is just the beginning. However the income gap between those who have post secondary and those who do not is enormous and telling. - When leaving the OW system for employment, people are forced to take jobs that do not provide medical benefits, sick time, or vacation. These "privileges" are necessary for success for those suffering from mental health and addiction. Eventually, low income jobs cause loss of home, lack of adequate food to keep working, and stopping expensive medications that manage mental health conditions. They are also exploited by employers who threaten to fire them if they take sick time due to mental health. - The traveling necessary to find and maintain work in the city is prohibitive. Spending hours on buses to get to interviews or to get to work shifts on time is expensive and leaves no time for the other supports necessary to their wellbeing such as counselling appointments, methadone clinics, A.A. meetings, psychiatrist appointments, doctors appointments, etc. -Accessing subsidised or affordable child care is nearly impossible and often results in traveling an hour in one direction to drop a child off, then travelling an hour in another direction to get to work. Then parents feel stressed about getting to pick up their child on time and punished when they can't because of transit. - Those who have multiple jobs spend time traveling between jobs, balancing the demands of multiple exploitive bosses, and experience significant health issues resulting from long term stress and neglect of health/mental health. People generally want to work and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. Ensuring they can work and earn enough to support themselves, increases their capacity to contribute and reduces their reliance on emergency rooms, social services, etc. Again, the research is there. We just choose to ignore it. Canada is not the only country that studied this project.

UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME

The research was being done and everything points to UBI being beneficial for society as whole. Implement it and it will help a lot of the issues that you're trying to address with this engagement.