Chris Schnurr
Carol Kosowan LL.B., B.A. (Law), B.A. (Policy)
I finally got around to reading an oft-cited report entitled, “Assaults in and around Bars” produced by the Community Orientated Policing Services of the U.S. Department of Justice.
I would recommend that councillors truly interested in building a downtown that is welcoming to all – including families, seniors as well as youth take a good long read.
This is not to say that there have not been improvements to the core – streetscaping, new lighting as well as the temporary street closings for major events have helped to establish downtown as an entertainment destination.
However, sadly, a combination of both the economic downturn as well as the snail’s pace of improvements have not stemmed the tide of rising vacancies or the attraction of retail. The addition of St. Clair college students to the core, at least visibly, has not yet had the desired effect.
But the larger issue is that of violence in the core – and the above cited study reads as a blueprint for a multifaceted approach to addressing this issue.
What contributes to violence in the core? A few no-brainers:
Alcohol; Culture of drinking; types of establishments; and concentration of bars.
Beginning on page 17 are a series of recommendations to address some of the issues we experience in Windsor – which include increased enforcement of existing liquor license laws and city bylaws:
You should apply basic preventive and enforcement measures to all bars, while applying some special preventive and enforcement measures at high-risk bars.
I do recall discussion surrounding staggered closing times in the downtown core as well as mandatory closing times – but according to the report, this could result in new problems being created:
However, it is also possible that staggered closing hours will increase barhopping, as patrons roam the streets looking for open bars. In addition, eliminating mandatory closing times could create an environment where alcohol is almost continuously available and could increase assault rates at venues with extended hours.
As for mandatory closing times?
Changes to operating hours, alone, are unlikely to decrease the assault rates. The change must also be accompanied by high-quality efforts to control, manage, and regulate the properties. If this response is implemented, it should first be done in a controlled pilot effort to gauge the overall effect.
Ah yes – measureable goals and benchmarks.
The important message in this report is that there is no silver bullet that will solve the problems associated with some bars and nightclubs.
A Hospitality Resource Panel, promoted by the downtown BIA, is a positive first step – but not the final solution.
But a combination of that, as well as increased enforcement of existing bylaws and laws as well as looking into the possibility/feasibility of rezoning sections of the core to reduce the concentration of bars and nightclubs are required in my opinion.
And with the closure of a few downtown bars – this would be an opportune time to take action on that front.
I would also like to see taxi stands developed in the core as well as increased public transportation to 3:30 a.m. Perhaps extending the hours of operation of the Crosstown 2, Dougall 6 and 1C could be looked at.
As it is now, during my last trip downtown, I had to walk to the casino to find a taxi.
Not a big deal if you’re sober – but for the inebriated, this is only inviting trouble.
The experience of Windsor related to bars is not unique nor are the ways to the address the issues.
Unless these issues are addressed, downtown will continue to be perceived as the place to party – not to live or shop.
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Windsor city councillors and the mayor had a chance to follow teh Bellmio reports and recommendations and the majority ignored them all.
Kenny didn’t want to vote yet to any of them because he wouldn’t have place to hang out after the bars close. Gignac hasn’t left the east side in 10 years, Hatfield talks a good game but can be persuaded, Jones and Postma are just clueless and Brister tows the party line while Dilkens does his best.
From what my little birdies have told me and what has been said on some other sites [deleted]! Conflicts of interest, you tell me?
Just as a FYI, the BIA finally hired an HRP coordinator who is assembling a committee as I write this. The person’s name is James Asher and I have full confidence that he will be able to make a positive impact on our city’s hospitality industry.
There are designated 4 taxi stands downtown (one on the corner in front the Bank Montreal on Chatham. However the taxis never use them. When I suggested they be converted to parking because they were never used, the taxi company fought to retain them. The problem is that all the cabs wait by the casino. This is one thing an HRP can address
The mayor’s solution was to restrict zoning of “Entertainment lounges” to only Ouellette (and a few side streets) which I disagree with due to its effect of concentrating nightlife.
Other than that they’ve already banned any new entertainment lounges over 200 as well as not allowing more than one entertainment lounge per floor of a bldg (I never understood why old school was allowed to open above Honest lawyer)
The problem is after hours clubs are always a contributing factor to high risk areas and not appropriate for pelissier. Without controls on these we will now see the Box office crowd simply move to the next most convenient location.
There is a new one called the motor city social club
Personally, with apologies to Petula Clarke, I don’t care if the downtown ‘core’ area falls into the river and floats away. The very idea of having a vibrant ‘downtown’ is a quaint old anachronism anyway. Why aren’t we throwing money into ’saving’ the west end? Or the east side?
If it is to be a vomitorium for drunk American kids, then so be it. Let them play gangsta, start fights, a few stabbings, pop off a few shots from their 9mm’s and urinate in the street for all I care. I see no value in it at all except for maybe, nostalgia for the good old days, such as way things used to be back when my Mom was growing up and the downtown was the hub of everything.
Now, it’s the hub of nothing.
Most adults won’t go down there, me included. I like the Aardvaark blues, but there is never any place to park, and the streets are always chock full of obnoxious, aggressive young pukes who appear to be taking roid injections straight into their micro-brains.
To quote some movie (Roadhouse, I think): “People who want to have a good time don’t go to a slaughterhouse.”
This “quaint anachronism” you refer to, can you name a city thats successful that doesn’t have a vibrant downtown. Its sad that you wear your abandonment of downtown like a badge of honor. As goes downtown, so goes the entire region. To quote some movie (Roadhouse, I think) “Be nice until its time not to be nice”
The very issues you raise are the very issues that need to be addressed. It is unacceptable that you enjoy the Aardvaark, but feel you cannot go.
I’m with you on the drunk abnoxious youth that fill the streets. I attempt to avoid Ouellette Ave. on Saturday’s – but sometimes cannot if going to my favourite lounge on Ouellette.
But not all youth are drunk and abnoxious. Nor is everyone downtown a gun wielding “gangsta.”
It is the agressive behaviour that I think there should be “zero tolerance” for.
It is the unscrupulous handfull of bar owners who serve after hours, and continue to serve visibily intoxicated people that I have “zero tolerance” for.
The message has to be clear to downtown patrons – please, enjoy what our city has to offer, but at the same time, you will be held responsible should you deny the same enjoyment to others.
‘But not all youth are drunk and abnoxious.’
I hate those young people with good abs. Of course they’re not ‘all bad’ – In fact, since I’ve been at University the young people I’ve met have so impressed me I totally changed my dim view of the younger generation. But of course University students only represent a tiny minority, 10 percent or so of the ‘elite’, so this too is a skewed perception.
Small towns like Windsor are full of small-minded people who can only repeat the failures of the past, because they have no ideas. Richard Florida is right in this regard – no ‘creative class’ type person is likely to hang around Windsor for long…where we have 70 millions for a few hockey fans but the “free ride is over” when the symphony comes begging.
With the final exit of industry, Windsor seems destined to become another Flint, Mich, or Chatham, or Brantford. I take no pleasure in this, as Windsor is my home town.
It’s just the way things really are, as opposed to the way some people wish they could be.
I can appreciate stating how things really are.
If we can’t have an open minded discussion regarding what the perceptions are; or what the real problems are, we are living in fantasy land – and the perceptions and/or real problems are those that you have highlighted previously.
I get it.
I can understand why people do not go downtown – and I don’t view it as a “badge of honour” as another commentator wrote – but the very reality which downtown faces. I won’t be forced to go downtown because I’m told it is my duty.
When I lived in Sarnia, I was downtown everyday – sitting on the outdoor patios, or strolling through the antique or speciality shops lining Front Street.
In Windsor – my big trip downtown is to the Bargain Shop to grab blank CDs and grab a coffee “to go” from a downtown establishment.
Usually once a month I head over to Chatham Street for dinner – but that’s about it.
There is nothing more for me in the core that is of interest for me. And don’t even get me going about the quality of service at some downtown restaurants – I refuse to step foot into a number of them after repeated poor service.
But I will say – my deepest apologies to those restaurants for inconveniencing them with my patronage – I hope I have solved their problem by no longer going.
If I want to shop, I head over to Erie or Ottawa Street or to the new stores opening on Wyandotte in Walkerville.
That said, we have a solid foundation for something good downtown.
Whether it is the traditional shopping centre or the entertainment district – both can work equally as well if done right and problems addressed immediately.
By the way – you’re at the University? Are you faculty or student?
I ask because I’m at the U as well as both student and staff.
Old man student! (after plant closure) And I must say, I LOVE the University! In my youth I went to art school (Oakville and Brantford) and never, did I ever think I would enjoy going to University as much as I do. But it is great.
That being said, the University is a microcosm of the same problems we face generally in Windsor – the students are Profs are wonderful and brilliant, but the administration is clueless, hopeless, and out of touch – with absolute power all we can hope for is that the old guard collection of fools will die off some day and things will finally change for the better.
Otherwise, the school gets a bum rap I think, for no other reason than it happens to be located in Windsor, with 10K trucks rumbling past the back door every day.
Good for you Chris, you should have good, secure employment for a long time even if and when things get really bad for the private sector. I’m envious, and would certainly like to work there.
Good for you!
I attend because I simply enjoy learning (it took me about 10 years to finally realise that – :) )
I enjoy the flexibility my program offers – a little bit of everything from political science to political economy to philosophy to economics. Though I really am enjoying the media orientated courses.
Now if only we could develop a concurrent degree with St. Clair College in communications – it’d be great to take some graphic design courses.