CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Coun. Mitchell Tweel continues to press for more security at Victoria Park in Charlottetown.
Tweel, who chairs the parks, recreation and leisure committee, brought up the issue again at a recent meeting of the committee.
“I believe there should be security seven days a week in Victoria Park. I have always felt that way," Tweel said.
Right now, the city contracts a firm to conduct security in all of its parks four days a week, from Thursday to Sunday evening.
Tweel has pushed the last few years to see patrols stepped up in Victoria Park alone to seven days a week, providing consistent enforcement within the park with regard to the smoking bylaw, dogs off leash, potential vandalism and the need to enforce physical distancing rules.
“Victoria Park is not a neighbourhood park; it’s not a district park; it’s the equivalent of one of our national parks in the province. Security in the park is so important. We can’t have thousands and thousands of people in the park on a daily basis ... you have to have security and I don’t mean (having security personnel) driving by in a vehicle," he said.
"I mean feet on the ground whether it’s down by the skateboard park, the ball diamonds, the tennis courts, the boardwalk or the inside active transportation lane around the park.’’
The committee agreed to send the matter to the finance committee for consideration.
