DRYDEN – Dryden's pedestrian overpass is being closed overnight due to what leaders have described as significant health and safety issues.
Over the summer, the overpass was open 24 hours a day, but has since been closed between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. due to issues including vandalism, public intoxication, and hostility toward city staff.
Back in March, the city requested the OPP assign a patrol throughout the day and night to help prevent further incidents.
However, during the summer months, city council decided to reopen the Pedestrian Skywalk during the night, but have police still routinely perform foot patrols, especially while city staff are performing scheduled maintenance and cleaning of the portable washrooms.
According to a report from public works staff, between Feb. 24 and June 30, the OPP responded to 32 calls for service in the area. The majority of infractions were alcohol-related and a need for community services due to the excessive amount of waste product found in the area.
During July and August, the number of calls for service dropped to 12.
“We know the colder weather is coming up and the worry is people starting to use [the Skywalk] later, and sleeping,” said Blake Poole, manager of public works at a Tuesday meeting. “We want everyone to be safe, and there is no one monitoring what's going on there, either.”
Poole suggested the closure of the Skywalk during the night worked well and he would be supportive of that same resolution in the future with the police performing regular patrols.
CAO Roger Nesbitt commented, “I would suggest to council that we continue as is for now. Continue to monitor and continue to work with the OPP and hopefully they can continue to conduct their patrols through the facility."
Councillor Michelle Price asked Nesbitt, “We had some comments from parents who feel it is not safe for their kids to cross over, either to get to school or the arena, is it possible for our patrols to be set up around the times when kids are crossing for school in the mornings and the return back?”
Nesbitt said the OPP would have difficulties committing to a specific time every day, however.
When it comes to policing at a specific time of day, Nesbitt said, “there are other priorities that may come up that can’t be accounted for ahead of time, but we can certainly take that forward to the OPP. They would be extremely receptive with really any comments or recommendations or requests that city staff have brought forward.”
The report has been accepted by council and no further recommendations have been put forward about the Pedestrian Skywalk.
