Guard approved for Simcoe’s Talbot Gardens

Luke Edwards

Advocate Correspondent

Visitors to Talbot Gardens in recent weeks may have noticed a new face keeping an eye on things at the arena.

Norfolk councillors approved a temporary measure that involved placing a guard at the arena with the hopes it would curb issues of drug use and incidents involving children at the arena. However, they stopped short of approving similar support for the Norfolk County Public Library, which has had more than its fair share issues stemming back several years.

Instead, library staff and patrons will have to wait for a more fulsome report to come back to council. Mayor Amy Martin did request staff expedite that report.

“I’d like to develop a plan sooner rather than later,” she said.

Coun. Alan Duthie first raised the issue at December’s council-in-committee meeting after receiving calls from parents who had kids come across drug paraphernalia or walk into bathrooms where people were passed out following apparent drug use. He requested immediate support be approved and for staff to look at possible longer term solutions.

At the Dec. 17 council meeting, a staff report provided options and costs for the interim measures. The report recommended hiring a level three guard to patrol Talbot Gardens until the end of the hockey season. It suggested having the guard on duty from 4 to 9 p.m. during the week, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, though general manager of operations Bill Cridland said they have flexibility.

Library CEO Julie Kent told council about some of the issues her staff have faced, and the challenge of balancing the library’s role as a welcoming and inclusive public space with some of the behaviour they’ve experienced.

“Our staff are compassionate and supportive but they cannot sustain the time and their emotional health and compassionate labour they bring to these situations,” Kent said.

Library staff have been forced to do bathroom checks, general wellness checks and have had to administer naloxone on several occasions.

“It distracts them from their primary role of serving the community,” Kent said, stressing the majority of the unhoused community who frequent the library abide by the rules and it’s only a small number who cause issues.

One of the options staff provided was to hire two guards, which would have a dual benefit. First, it would cover off required rests and lunch breaks. And second, it would allow additional areas like the library to receive some security support.

Some councillors seemed supportive of that option.

“We have to make these places safe,” said Coun. Doug Brunton.

“These are people who are trained to be library technicians or library staff and they find themselves administering naloxone and checking bathrooms and seeing if people are literally alive when they’re lying around in the building,” added Coun. Tom Masschaele.

Martin asked Kent if there was room in the library budget to support an additional guard. She told the mayor it was something she’d have to take to the board in January. That led Martin to request staff expedite the more follow up report.

Hiring the security guard is expected to cost the county $31,500.