In a recorded vote, Belleville City Council is moving forward on adding daytime security to the area surrounding South Church Street through the end of 2025.
At its previous meeting, council had asked staff to create a report regarding funding for security after concerns were brought by area merchants.
In a report to council on Monday, Manager of Economic Development Elisha Maguire stated that her department has been involved “in providing solutions to address merchant and resident concerns about the increasing presence of individuals experiencing homelessness within and around the Downtown District.”
The Bridge had temporarily relocated its services to 125 South Church Street as construction at the permanent location at 1 Alhambra Square continues.
Since the move of services from the church to the new location, there have been 400 calls to Belleville police from April 1 to May 14, 2025.
Of those 400 calls, 93 of them were from officers doing proactive property checks on addresses surrounding The Bridge.
The other 307 calls were for other call types, which the reports states is primarily unwanted and suspicious persons, trespassing, etc.
Put into context, six weeks before the temporary move of The Bridge, there were zero property checks in that area, and 152 calls for service in the same area from February 17 to March 31, 2025.
The report states that the vendor that does overnight security could add daytime security for the Downtown District, with a budget amendment of $92,500 required.
That money would be funded from the city’s Casino – Economic Development Reserve Fund.
The resolution was to initially receive the report, but an amendment was brought forward by Councillor Garnet Thompson to move forward with adding the daytime security.
Councillor Barbara Enright-Miller expressed her support for the amendment to the motion.
“I know staff has cautioned us that the increased security may filter down when the HART hub opens up, and we may have a another problem on our hands. But I do think if that happens, we’ll have to support the residents in that area and look at it in its entirety as well, but I would support the motion that’s been placed on the floor,” Councillor Enright-Miller told council.
Following a series of questions asked to Maguire about the security services provided, Councillor Paul Carr said he had struggles finding a way to support the motion, saying the city can’t solve all the problems and that community partners need to do their part to help ensure a community standard.
“I just have a hard time reconciling $90,000 in a reactive way when there are other ways in which we make sure that organizations that provide services in our community meet that community standard,” Councillor Carr told council.
Councillor Kathryn Brown echoed comments from Councillor Carr asking, with respect to the small teams working at the building, for The Bridge’s accountability to its guests.
“When do they start taking accountability for what’s happening the minute it leaves their property?” Councillor Brown asked.
“Because it’s not like it leaves their property and it goes away. It leaves their property and goes directly across the street. They can see what’s happening. Where is their accountability? It’s part of the community as a whole.”
Meantime, Councillor Garnet Thompson said that it’s been heard from the businesses in the area that it is an issue that needs to be acted on now.
“(Businesses) may threaten they’re going to close, and they may not, they may, who knows, but they’re desperate,” Councillor Garnett Thompson said.
“Right now, we’re dealing with this. We’re not dealing with the hub. The hub will come in February. Let’s not worry about the hub now, let’s worry about this.”
In a recorded vote of 5-2, council moved forward on providing the funding for daytime security.
Those voting in favour included councillors Barbara Enright-Miller, Sean Kelly, Margaret Seu, Garnet Thompson, and Mayor Neil Ellis.
Those against included councillors Paul Carr and Kathryn Brown.
Occupancy of 1 Alhambra Square is currently forecasted for December 2025.
