Niagara Falls council told better solution is needed to deal with rising crime on Buchanan Avenue
A fence designed to protect a neighbourhood from criminal activity associated with transitional housing on Buchanan Street in Niagara Falls is not going forward.
City council heard residents say crime has skyrocketed, but a fence will not stop that, only impede their lives and their ability to see the road when driving.
Councillors Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg and Lori Lococo mentioned the Summer Street site. "I know that they say, everyone in the sector says that you can't stick people out in the middle of nowhere, and hope for rehabilitation, and getting housing, we have to do something. We can't put them in existing places that are by residential."
Chief Administrative Officer Jason Burgess says the region and city staff are doing what they can.
Councillor Mike Strange pointed directly at drug dealers.
"You don't see a homeless problem in the Philippines, and that, as you know what they do with drug dealers, there... yeah, very severe. I think we have to take that aspect, where if you get caught, you're going away for a year in jail, then 5-years, or the rest of your life."
Council voted against the fence, but is still looking for other solutions.
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