As part of a larger effort to overhaul Greater Sudbury Transit, a report headed to the community services committee next week calls for doubling the hours for security guards at the downtown transit terminal.
The recommendation comes after an April 1 incident in which an extremely agitated and aggressive man holding two knives was shot and wounded by police.
Two days later, two knives were found hidden on the terminal property.
In addition to that incident, in late May 2017, a bus driver was injured by a knife-wielding passenger. In March of this year, a man being forced to leave the transit terminal attacked a security guard and threatened him with a knife.
While those incidents are relatively rare, they can discourage members of public from taking the bus.
“Perceptions of safety among riders and generally within the downtown is also a priority,” the report said. “These ongoing security incidents at transit are negatively impacting the perception that the system and facility is safe, and if left unchecked, will negatively impact ridership.
“Transit and security and bylaw city staff are recommending immediate changes to service level for security at the terminal and further, more broadly across a number of CGS facilities.”
While police respond to the most serious incidents, the report said it's not realistic to expect them to arrive for more minor events that need to be handled at the terminal.
“Staff recommends doubling the billable contract security hours at transit, ensuring two guards will be physically posted at the transit terminal for all hours of operation, between 6 a.m. and 12:30 a.m.,” the report said. “In order to respond to identified risks at the transit terminal and to support obligation within the Occupational Health and Safety Act, it is recommended this remain in place until such time that the delivery of security services is transferred to city employees, or a more permanent contracted solution is in place.”
The move would cost about $86,000 a year. Longer term, the report recommends adding more city staff in the security and bylaw department to handle the extended hours at the transit terminal. The current contract for security expires in September.
The report also says police were called to the terminal in 242 times in 2017; in another 347 cases, security staff ejected people from the site without issue. In another 295 cases, staff removed people for creating a disturbance.
Having trained city employees do the security work, and having two of them on site at all times, will improve the situation, the report said.
“In addition to having higher legislative authorities to respond to a variety of incidents, the provision of a second dedicated officer at the terminal will allow for a higher level of deterrence and safety for staff that work at the terminal,” the report said. “This service better allows for safer and more active monitor and deterrence of anti-social or criminal behaviours, and support for effective resolution.”
The officers would also be mobile and could respond to incidents on buses away from the terminal, the report said.
“Whether aboard a bus, or at the transit terminal, (municipal law enforcement officers) have the authority to arrest, issue fines or trespass someone from all City of Greater Sudbury facilities,” the report said.
The report will be reviewed at the committee's meeting July 9.
