Residents and police are coming together this evening to discuss rising safety concerns following an increase in violent incidents surrounding the new Maple Ridge Secondary School in Barrie's south end over the last few months.
The meeting is scheduled to take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Barrie Police Headquarter, located at 110 Fairview Rd. It will give residents in the Prince William Way/Queensway neighbourhood a chance to raise their concerns with city police, Coun. Bryn Hamilton explained in an email to BarrieToday.
“Unfortunately, there seems to be a small group of troubled youth engaging in increasingly disturbing behaviour,” said Hamilton, who represents Ward 10, adding issues range from reported assaults, fights and harassment to selling drugs to minors, property damage, use of small weapons, and threatening behaviour.
Although many of these events appear to be targeted between two groups of youths, Hamilton said the incidents have been creating a feeling of uneasiness among residents in the community near Mapleview Drive East.
“I have been working closely with the Barrie Police Service over the past few months, specifically to have more presence at the Hasty Market plaza where many of these youths seem to gather," she said. "While disturbances there have improved as a result of this presence, it now seems to be spilling into neighbouring communities."
Hamilton said she hopes tonight's meeting will serve as an opportunity to inform the local community about how council, police and the local high school are working together to address their safety concerns. Residents will also be provided with an update on what has been done to date and how they can help.
“I’ve lived in Ward 10 for over 40 years for its safe and beautiful neighbourhoods," the ward councillor said. "We’ve always had a low incidence of crime compared to other parts of the city. This is a small group of kids engaging in targeted, violent behaviour, but no neighbour should be fearful of walking down their own street.
"We need to come together as a community to address these concerns. We all have a role to play," Hamilton added.
Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon said the meeting will bring the police, the community and the local councillor together to discuss issues taking place in this area of the south end, where the new high school opened in September 2021.
"I think we what we need to do is bring the police, the community and (the) councillor together to dispel some of the rumours that are out there," he said. "We are very much aware that there are issues arising being posted on social media where the accuracy may not be fully understood.
"I think what is important also is that it gives Barrie police the opportunity to explain to the community what we have been doing when we deal with these concerns that are being brought to our attention," Leon added.
