A one-year County of Simcoe pilot project has been deemed a success, so now county councillors are considering making it permanent.
According to a County of Simcoe staff report released this week, full-time security guard services were procured for the Ontario Works building at 136 Bayfield St. in Barrie last year as a pilot project after multiple reports of aggression, threats and illegal activities taking place at the site.
Prior to initiating on-site security on July 29, 2019, incidents were occurring often daily ranging from verbal aggression, to threats, to illegal activities. Responses ranged from intervention by the Ontario Works Supervisor on-site through to police involvement depending on the nature of the incident and the outcome of the direction provided to the individuals involved.
Since implementing on-site security, there have been 17 incidents requiring active intervention from on-site security between July 31, 2019 and March 3.
Of these incidents, one involved physical aggression, two involved verbal threats, four involved illegal activities and 10 involved verbal aggression. Police were required to attend twice to support the removal of the individual from the premises.
“The addition of on-site security has significantly reduced the number of incidents at the Barrie office and in correlation, has reduced the frequency for police intervention," wrote Wendy Hembruff, manager of Ontario Works for the County of Simcoe in her report to council.
"Feedback from staff and clients reflects a greatly improved sense of safety and well-being at the site.”
If the project is made permanent, the projected annual cost for security services will be approximately $50,000 and, according to the recommendation, will be reconsidered annually by county council as part of budget deliberations.
During the county committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, Orillia Coun. Pat Hehn asked if security would be considered for the other Ontario Works offices across the county.
“We do monitor the activity in the other offices very closely, and we haven’t had the same numbers of incidences and behaviours that would warrant security at this time,” said Greg Bishop, general manager of social services, adding that staff in all offices are still trained in de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques.
As of March 31, 2020, the Barrie Ontario Works office was serving a caseload of 2,845 benefit units. This caseload, including Barrie and neighbouring catchment areas, represented 45 per cent of the total 6,359 benefit units comprising the caseload for the County of Simcoe.
The recommendation was passed by committee of the whole on Tuesday. It will be considered for ratification at the June 23 meeting of county council.
