Governor Simcoe Square

I'm sorry if this topic has been discussed already, but is anyone else alarmed by the people who are "hanging out" around the square? I recently was at the County office and had to wiggle my way through the group of kids clustered on the step including one step over a skateboard. My brother and his 7 yr old daughter witnessed a violent fight that took place mid-afternoon earlier this week. Can nothing be done? It's unfortunate that a relatively small group can intimidate the rest of the public, not to mention the type of image we are presenting.

I walk every night and happen to go by there every night and there is always a bunch of kids hanging out skate boarding and just looking for trouble in my opinion there. A garbabge can was knock over last weekend there with trash all over the grass and street

The youth Drop In should be opening soon, the old Robins place so this might take care of a few people hanging around there, at least we hope so.It'scarey to walk down in that area

I would love to see Simcoe implement a curfew and enforce it hard!

You can't go downtown after 7pm without hearing the "f-bomb" being dropped out of these kids' mouths. Totally disgusting & uncalled for.

Doesn't it seem WRONG that Simconians feel frightened to walk in their own downtown? It's been that way for about fifteen years and it really is time for a change! I agree....enforce a curfew. Have more police presence especially on Friday nights.

thats the thing tho Susan cops are everywhere downtown it seems on Thursdays and Fridays but nothing is done of it!
I am scared to death to walk alone! I was followed for 25 minutes one night scared to death and had no where to go except the library! Thankfully it was open. I went and got a new cell phone and carry it with me just in case now!

Unbelievable! So, then I guess the next step must be taken, but I'm not really sure what that is! These kids need somewhere to go, as kids always do. I wonder if their parents are home?
I recall being afraid to walk downtown after five. Between the kids and off shore labourers, it was really tough.

the off shore boys dont scare me at all its the kids they have no respect for anyone not even themselves! And then we have the little girls and I mean little girls walking around with their babies with all the groups of kids!

I agree with Leslie ... Unless you are obese, the offshore won't bother you (bonus if you are a teenager)

I carry a can of mace with me if I have to go in the "zone" and I really don't care if i have to use it. I would be glad to meet them at the hospital (with a police officer of course) and we could rectify the situation right there with the aid of the cop (do you think I would have to have coffee & donuts with me for the cops to come?)

I know its just nasty, if the kids hanging out there , had some manner, that it would not be so bad, but every other word out of thier mouths is the "F" word, I can see how this can be concerning. some thing has to be done about it,anybody have any ideas .

OK. so if its this bad (and I know it is) why aren't the cops doing anything? The whole square and west end of Peel Street are BAD. I really don't see why the drop in centre will help, just more of them hanging around. The should be asked their age and if it's under 16 escorted home for their own safety. If their is no one at home, keep a log/computor record if it happens more than 3 times, family court, and then place them in a group home. Sound hard, yes but atleast their would be someone around at night to keep an eye on them. I know this won't happen even if it could because it would mean paper work for the cops. Maybe if Stevie gets re-elected they can all be put in Jail!!! that's what his "tough on crime" policy wants to do. It's worked in the states, they have more people per population than any other counrty in the world, boy that's a record to work for!!

I'm sure the police are aware of the situation. So, what's their take on it? Is any explanation (via telephone calls, Simcoe Reformer, Town Council)ever given?

I have never heard anyones take on things down there! I know a couple months ago 1 OPP was hanging around where the kids have that open mike in mottasheds old garage but they dont seem to do much!
I too think that having the drop in will mean more kids hanging around which I am hoping is for the good having the drop in centre. I dont know tho!

No, I don't really see curfews working. It's a really difficult situation with a lot of underlying issues. One thing is sure...as the weather gets colder, there will be a lot fewer hanging out on the streets!

And in about May, a lot more babies in strollers downtown!

Leslie wrote:

the off shore boys dont scare me at all its the kids they have no respect for anyone not even themselves!

I agree it's not the off shore workers. I've never seen any of them cause any trouble and I walk the downtown everynight. If anything, I feel safer on the nights that the off shore workers are around. All the trouble that I've ever seen has been caused by the local punks. I witnessed one kid have his head smashed repeatedly into the sidewalk by a group of three or four punks, on Sunday, August 24th at about 7 p.m. right across from the Governor Simcoe Square.

pattip wrote:

OK. so if its this bad (and I know it is) why aren't the cops doing anything?

Why don't the Police do anything about the crack house that's downtown? Most downtown business people can tell you exactly where it is but the cops have never busted it.

I feel safe with the offshore boys also! I know they would help me if in trouble.

Speaking of crack houses. There's a beautiful home for sale in the south downtown area that hasn't sold in over a year on the market. Could be that folks don't want to purchase because as you head north on the same street there's a crack house.