Noise is proven to be a contributing factor to high blood pressure and stress. We need to eliminate the sources of this noise which includes the exhaust noise of motocycles. Other jurisdictions like Oakville have bylaws backed up by Police to enforce the bylaw. There are many other areas across the country that are taken action.

Supports for Individuals/Families

Stop pandering to political correctness. Stop making everything about politics. End this nonsensical lockdown. Mental health is on the rise, suicides are on the rise, homelessness is on the rise, disease is on the rise, conditions going untreated.... all because of the irresponsible decision making of poor leaders. They care more about whether you wear a mask than the repercussions of their faulty and tyrannical decisions they've imposed on us.

The city needs to invest in more supportive affordable housing. The police should receive better training on systemic oppression, empathy, anti-racism, LGBTQ rights, etc. and be held accountable when they do harm. The city should be clearing all sidewalks so everyone can get around! This is an accessibility issue.

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.

People and institutions with power need to be educated on hate crimes, micro aggressions and how they/their institutions are part of systemic issues. More should be done to build bridges across communities to decrease racism/homophobia/ableism before it even begins. Individual community members could be educated through mail outs, community events, etc.

Stricter measures to be put in place for all people in government, city, or community leadership as to what is a hate crime and what will happen if one is committed with fast and strict measures if one is committed.

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.

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. .

Better resources made available to prevent all type of violent incidences from ones including police to ones that are out of the ordinary and need more assistance. Better awareness as well to such incidences when they take place so that others that may have been affected in the community feel safe around the area still.

Systemic racism and terrible responses to mental health crises are just a few of the issues. They have a horrible record in this city. We need new systems

Violence is the symptom and not the problem. Violence is born out of fear and a battle to maintain a place of power. Gang warfare, domestic violence, hate crime, etc. all come from the same place. This must start from ensuring that everyone has access to basic needs, an opportunity to grow and thrive in education, and an equitable opportunity to access post secondary education. It must then continue through to providing long-term, comprehensive programs and services that provide intervention services to individuals who exhibit violent behavior. Incarceration alone will only perpetuate violent behaviour and support the individual's narrative that "the system" is against them. Recognize that violence generally happens in the communities that are most in need. This should be no surprise given the well studied factors that contribute to criminality and violence. The city does not actively work with the members of these communities in any meaningful way to determine the needs of the community and what the male youths (largest demographic of violent behaviour) are experiencing that pushes them towards exhibiting violent behaviour. Because violence is a symptom, it cannot be solved in a silo and must be considered in a socio-cultural context. Why are young, male, racialized groups engaging in violence? Why are young white males engaged in violence towards racialized groups? They are fighting to keep whatever power and resources they have or fighting to get what they don't have. We must address the issues of poverty and oppression before violence can be address. A final point of thought is that the City and the POlice service must set the example and live by an anti-violence framework. This means that policing must change the way it is interacting in these communities and community services/grassroots groups must be supported financially and politically to carry out the work that is needed. It may feel counterproductive, but violence is not a law enforcement issue. It is first and foremost a societal issue that requires a social solution.

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!

Grenfell Ministries, for the last 3 Year's, has strived, and pushed forward through many obstacles, and challenges, when it comes to our community and our city. From Mental Health, Trauma, Homelessness, Transitioning back into a 'normal' routine/life style, Addictions, and helping those once incarcerated, by transitioning them into a healthier, better living life, and to show eagerness, and a will to strive to do good! Peer-Support workers at Grenfell Ministries, are a dire need, when it comes to Addiction, mental health and even trauma! We at Grenfell Ministries, have numerous relatable lived experiences, where Support is a HUGE factor when it comes to everyone's attention, and just how important, and crucial, having any kind of positive, 'you can do it', Support really is. Having a Support program in our community, that is accessible to anyone, of all ages? A peer support worker who is available 24-7, and be able to ensure growth, and have that feeling of reassurance, trust, and just knowing someone cares, understands, and helps show you a better meaning, understanding, and comfortability, goes a LONG way. Grenfell Ministries, has saved lives, brought communities together, they've inspired so many other individuals, as well helped them along the way to their goals, achievements, and decisions. Where we couldn't be more proud, or feel more good inside, seeing our program participants, reach their life goals, and make their decisions, the right ones, for their future ahead. #STIGMASUCKS #GRENFELLMINISTRIESISHEREFORYOU

Better access to resources for all people and to awareness of where these resources are located for people to access.

More awareness about the types of mental health disorders that people can have and where they are able to get help. Awareness to end the stigma around all types of mental health disorders and to encourage people who may need help to seek it.

The police force is constantly being sent in to deal aggressively and violently with mental health issues. They are not properly trained and do not know how to de escalate these scenarios. We need multiple teams of mental health experts that can be sent in to de escalate and provide specialized care to our community members with mental health challenges.

Police officers are trained to ensure the public's compliance through escalating threats and application of violence. These escalation based methods often do not work well with someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Where there are reasonable grounds to suspect someone is undergoing a mental health crisis, the police should avoid interaction until a qualified medical professional is on the scene.

This is a serious matter at hand, that's only becoming worse, without the proper support and backbone, Hamiltonians who are in crisis NEED.

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.

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.

We do not have enough affordable housing in the city. Encampments are a natural outcome. We cannot keep destroying people's attempts at surviving when shelters are constantly at capacity. We need to update bylaws to allow affordable housing asap and allow and support existing encampments.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hamilton has a lot of good jobs just not accessible by bus or practical by bus Invest in transit to make it easier to get to work. A lot of buses don't connect. and you spend a lot of your commute time waiting for buses. It's impossible to plan a trip in the east end where buses actually connect . you end up waiting half hour+ because the bus your on, missed the connect bus by 2 mins . After working 12hrs and its -20 i cant explain the stress.