INNISFAIL – Town council has approved an updated policy for dealing with unruly citizens at town-owned facilities who need to be removed or banned.
Erica Vickers, the town’s director of corporate services, presented her report on the issue to council at its regular meeting on July 24.
She told council that as a result of a review of the nearly 23-year-old policy known as, Remove or Ban a Patron from a Town Owned Facility, it was determined by staff to give it a “complete update” as it was “quite light.”
However, council was told the town has only encountered one incident in the past where a patron had to be removed from a town-owned facility.
“It is my understanding that we only had one time when we had to have someone removed from our arena facility and it was not done through our own policy,” said Vickers in response to a query from Coun. Dale Dunham. “It was a member of the public who called the police and another member that was in attendance.”
Vickers told council that while the town continues to provide residents with opportunities to participate in organized sport, recreation, leisure, and culture activities in its recreational facilities, the town is also aiming to provide a safe and positive environment for patrons and municipal employees who utilize town-owned facilities.
Responding to another question from council, she added the policy also includes patrons attending the town’s administration building.
Vickers said the new policy serves as an outline to address any inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour at town facilities.
Council was told the scope of the updated policy will apply to all people attending town-owned or occupied indoor and outdoor facilities.
Vickers’s report offered a list of potential prohibited behaviours. These include vandalism, possession or consumption of illicit drugs or non-licensed alcohol, inappropriate language or gestures, verbal assault or threats, harassment, discrimination and physical violence or assault.
She said the updated policy also gives town staff guidance in incident reporting and enforcement.
“It is important to note that all acts of a criminal nature must be immediately reported to law enforcement,” said Vickers in her report. “It is not the town’s expectation that employees or patrons at town facilities place themselves at risk or jeopardize their safety in dealing with any perceived or real situation.”
However, Vickers told council the updated policy also provides staff with tools they may use to enforce the updated policy.
They include education, dismissal from property, written notice of warning, assistance from police, and compensation.
Council was told the policy also has appeal options for any patron who has been removed or banned from a town facility.
Vickers added the updated policy also outlines user groups’ responsibilities.
“They are responsible for educating their patrons and members about appropriate behavior, complying with requirements of town contracts and permits, and addressing policy violations in a safe and appropriate manner,” said Vickers.
Coun. Janice Wing wanted to know whether user groups will be contacted to learn how the policy works and whether they and the town can work together.
“Right now we currently don't have a plan for that but we definitely can work with the manager or the supervisor of the arena, pool and other facilities to work with user groups to educate them on this policy,” said Vickers.
