Downtown Windsor's Business Improvement Association is calling in a previous ally to discuss how to make the core safer.
The DWBIA's board of directors has approved a $10,000 sum to hire criminal justice management consultant Peter Bellmio to work with them on developing a community safety strategy for downtown. The consultant's hiring comes as the downtown continues to deal with a recent spike in crime.
Bellmio is no stranger to the Windsor-Essex area. The Maryland-based consultant previously visited Windsor twice over the past 20 years, so he has a familiarity with the region and its people. On his previous visit, Bellmio worked on a strategy to curb underage drinking, but as the DWBIA's Larry Horwitz pointed out Monday, Windsor is now facing a whole new set of challenges.
"Today we have an opioid crisis, we have a homeless crisis, we have a loitering situation, and we have mental health issues. It's very, very different," said Horwitz. "The people of downtown and the people of our community are frustrated and they want answers."
Bellmio is in Windsor for a day or two to become familiar again with the downtown area and meet with some merchants and residents to hear what their concerns are. He said he is determined to develop a strategy after he gets some preliminary input.
"The best thing that I can do for Windsor is to not come in with a pre-determined plan that comes off the shelf," said Bellmio. "It's really about coming into Windsor and finding those existing resources and relationships that have to work together better."
Bellmio will return to Windsor after the holiday season, where he will spend about a week gathering additional information, talk to business owners and meet with elected officials. A report identifying some preliminary strategies for improving public safety is expected to be ready within 30 days of the second visit.