The Timmins Police Services Board wants provincial officials to take a serious look at the court situation in the city.
Citing safety issues regarding prisoner security, a resolution has been drafted by the TPS Board requesting that the local MPP Gilles Bisson, the Ministry of the Attorney General, and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne review the current logistics and safety deficiencies of the court facility at the 101 Mall.
TPS Chief John Gauthier has already written a letter to Attorney General Yasir Naqvi, which expressed his concerns on the matter and requested a logistical study.
"The current logistics involved with the current location of the Provincial Court are contrary to the best interest of persons in custody, escort officers, and the general public. Any Provincial Court in Ontario should serve the integral safety needs of the public first, and not merely affix itself to the convenience of the status quo," said Gauthier in the letter.
More specifically, Gauthier states that perhaps an entirely new building be considered, citing the need for a contained and secure loading area away from the general public.
Among the safety issues included in Gauthier's letter:
- Loading and unloading of persons in custody in a public setting poses a threat to the general public using the public sidewalk on Fifth Avenue
- Loading and unloading of persons in custody from a parked prisoner transport vehicle or cruiser poses a significant and undeniable risk to officers
- Entrance to the court is directly across the street from a large Roman Catholic church
- Entrance to the court is within 200 metres of a large seniors/assisted living facility
The letter stated that former Mayor Tom Laughren also wrote to the Attorney General's office in 2008 on the issue. Gauthier referred to some correspondence received in response and although it wasn't included, it produced little action from the province.
Without getting into specific detail, Gauthier's letter cites incidents that have occurred in recent years, and not so recent, due to the current setup.
One highly publicized incident occurred on October 21, 2015, when a prisoner managed to escape from police while wearing shackles and chains outside the 101 Mall which led to a city wide manhunt.
"What the Timmins Police Services Board is asking for is council's support in that resolution," said Mayor Steve Black on Monday, after it was passed at the latest TPS Board meeting on April 19.
There was no additional council discussion, but the resolution will be back at the next council meeting on May 1 for a formal vote.
