Security cameras needed for Pride crosswalk intersection

When vandals poured diesel fuel on Tillsonburg’s Progress Pride-theme crosswalk in early September, it created ‘a dangerous situation for motorists and an environmental hazard.’

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The hazard was removed, sandblasting it off the street at the corner of Bridge and Broadway. And with it, the Rainbow crosswalk was also removed.

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Its replacement is still up in the air.

Tami Murray, president of Oxford County Pride said last Wednesday the Pride committee is waiting for the Town’s safety report and its outcome.

“Unfortunately, Oxford County Pride simply cannot economically afford to replace the crosswalk unless the Town makes a commitment to security and safety,” said Murray. “Once we know what that looks like, and we have a final bill of repair – that is a detailed invoice – then we can decide how we want to move forward.”

Murray said that decision would likely hinge on the installation of security cameras.

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“We are fully prepared to replace that crosswalk when the Town can provide safety and security for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This (crosswalk) is a symbolization of people. We would love to put back the crosswalk – we would have absolutely no problem doing that – but until the Town can provide some sense of deterrent, security, we simply cannot afford to continue to be re-victimized by vandalism and… economic abuse.”

At the Sept. 11 town council meeting, Councilor Kelly Spencer presented a motion to direct staff to provide a report regarding feasibility, potential locations and financial options for security cameras at the Broadway and Bridge Street intersection ‘due to ongoing and repetitive vandalism and destruction. ‘

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“The violations have been repetitive, ongoing and escalating,” Spencer said at the meeting. “People feel unsafe, I’m sure we’ve all received calls or emails or seen on social media that people are concerned that these vigilantes are going unchecked.”

Councilor Bob Parsons said he was initially on ‘both sides’, wanting security cameras to be funded by Oxford Pride, but also acknowledging there is enough risk to the community that it needs to be dealt with by the town.

“It’s violence. Not only a violence against Pride, it’s violence against all the people in our community.”

“They (Oxford Pride) are in charge of the crosswalk, but to make them in charge of surveillance and finding the perpetrators of the hate toward them, I think is a pretty big ask,” said Spencer.

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There is a deterrent value to having cameras, said Councilor Pete Luciani.

“I really do think you have to focus on what the actual problem is here, and that is people who are doing something illegally, something they shouldn’t be doing,” said Luciani. “I think we should leave it up to staff to come back with what are some options and go from that point.”

As of Sept. 11, the crosswalk had been vandalized four times since its installation on July 27, said Johnathon Graham, Director of Operations & Development, but because two of the incidents happened within 24-48 hours, he considered it three incidents.

“We agreed at this council that there would be no tax dollars spent on that corner,” said Councilor Chris Rosehart. “I understand vandalism, but we didn’t create it. We have to be careful if we’re going to spend tax dollar money when we said we wouldn’t.”

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At the Oct. 23 town council meeting, Spencer presented a motion that council approve a recent recommendation from the Town’s new Youth Advisory Committee, ‘recommending surveillance cameras be installed for the Pride crosswalk on Broadway and Bridge (Street).’ It carried.

“At the moment we don’t have a Pride crosswalk there,” said Rosehart, “so I’m trying to figure out, if we’re putting up cameras, is there going to be another one? And who is going to pay the bill from the last one? I guess I don’t understand their request.”

“I believe that there is a (staff) report coming back to Council regarding the crosswalk,” said Mayor Deb Gilvesy, adding it was exciting to receive the Youth Advisory Committee’s first motion to Council.

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