Pubdate: Thu, 05 Oct 2006
Source: East York Mirror (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 East York Mirror
Contact:  http://www.insidetoronto.com/to/eastyork/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2219
Author: Joanna LaVoie

WORKING TOGETHER ON SAFETY AT EAST LYNN PARK

Residents Worried About Illegal Activities In Area Park

Drug dealing. Loitering. Vandalism and robberies of nearby homes and 
businesses. Residents and merchants living and working near East Lynn 
Park at Danforth and Woodbine avenues have had enough of this illegal 
activity in their neighbourhood.

About 70 community members gathered last week to blow off some steam 
and come up with some solutions to these problems.

Hosted by Ward 32 Councillor Sandra Bussin (Beaches-East York), the 
meeting was an opportunity for neighbours to talk about illicit 
activities in the area and to get to know their neighbours a bit better.

Despite their initial optimism, neighbours were visibly upset that a 
scheduling conflict prevented representatives from 55 Division police 
from attending the session. Supt. Wayne Peden has since confirmed 
he'd attend an upcoming meeting about issues in the East Lynn area.

Nonetheless, a lot of ideas and strategies were shared at the gathering.

"I think the easiest way to do this is to get people talking," Bussin 
said. "I have several ideas tonight as a group how we will be able to 
get the attention of the police."

After letting neighbours air their frustrations about a slew of 
issues like drug dealing, marijuana smoking, lack of police response, 
break and enters, park safety, stolen bikes sales, graffiti and 
vandalism, Bussin said one of the best ways for community members to 
have their voices heard is by forming a residents group.

"I think that's probably one of the best things we can achieve 
tonight," said Bussin, who also went on to discuss the benefits of 
the upcoming establishment of a local business improvement area.

Sheila Mattar, a local resident and mother of a young son who enjoys 
playing in the park, said she'd be interested in joining a residents group.

"We're very nervous and concerned, but I do think as a community we 
can make a difference," said Mattar, adding she, too, was the victim 
of vandalism when she was one of three neighbours on her street who 
had their tires slashed and cars keyed.

Ted Hope, a neighbour for three-and-a-half years, said he attended 
the meeting to learn more about what's happening in his community.

Like local resident Joanna Ivey, Hope said he feels more policing 
isn't the best solution, although curbing the illegal activity is a must.

"I'm here this evening because I wanted to show I'm concerned and I 
wanted to know what we could do as a community to improve our 
neighbourhood," said Ivey, a mother of two young children.

She's also one of more than 50 neighbours who have gathered for about 
two years now in the park for Monday evening pizza night.

Rusty Warkman, parks supervisor for Toronto and East York, was also 
on hand at the meeting to speak on behalf of Toronto parks, forestry 
and recreation about ways it can help make East Lynn Park safer.

"We try to be as reactive and as proactive as we can," Warkman said, 
adding he's recently communicated with the police about safety issues 
at East Lynn Park.

Warkman said his team would do its best to upgrade the park's 
lighting and relocate benches to more open areas to discourage 
illicit activities.

"It won't be tomorrow, but we will get in there and move those 
benches around," said Warkman, adding he'd also worked to have the 
benches chained down so they can't be moved to "hiding places" in the park.

Working with Bussin and parks and recreation, The East Lynn Park 
Foundation, which is made up of nearby residents, is also 
contributing safety and better design ideas to an upcoming $200,000 
upgrade to the park, notably the children's play area.

One ideas raised at the meeting was to make East Lynn Park an 
"off-leash" park so that neighbours out walking their dogs could keep 
a better eye on the area.

"When you have people out and about it makes a difference," agreed 
Bussin, advising neighbours to write letter of support for East Lynn 
Park becoming a designated off-leash park.

Bussin also advised residents to take advantage of home safety audits 
offered by the police and the Crime Prevention Association of Toronto (CPAT).

Elizabeth Hawley, CPAT's executive director, also attended the 
meeting to talk about the programs her organization offers like 
Neighbourhood Watch.

Hawley, who also sits of 55 Division's community police liaison 
committee, said forming groups is an excellent way for neighbours to 
be empowered and organized. She also said community walkabout and 
safety audits are other great ways to identify issues and get 
neighbours involved in monitoring their community for illegal activity.

A followup meeting about safety at East Lynn Park and its vicinity 
will take place Wednesday, Oct. 12 at Earl Haig Junior Public School, 
near Danforth and Coxwell avenues. Call 416-392-1376 for details.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine