OSHAWA’S SIMCOE / MILL ST NEIGHBOURHOOD NEEDS HELP ** CAN THIS TRADITIONAL WORKING CLASS AREA BE SAVED? **

OSHAWA’S SIMCOE / MILL ST NEIGHBOURHOOD NEEDS HELP ** CAN THIS TRADITIONAL WORKING CLASS AREA BE SAVED? ** FROM MY DAYS AS A PRE-SCHOOLER right up to the time I was hired for my first full time job, the neighbourhood surrounding the intersection of Simcoe and Mill St. was practically a second home to me – my grandparents having lived in the area since building a house there in 1951. Over the course of the next 35 years our family would cultivate many great memories within that community, from the days when my uncle played midget-league baseball at Storie Park right up to the time my parents were married at the now-closed Albert Street United Church. My dad attended Holy Cross School, itself now put to alternative uses, and my parents even bought their first television set at Falcon TV, which was located along Simcoe St. S. The neighbourhood I can recall enjoyed access to a branch of the Toronto Dominion Bank as well as various retail food outlets including Kentucky Fried Chicken, Mermaid’s Fish & Chips, and later on, Halenda’s Meats and even a Swiss Chalet restaurant. Well, those days are gone, and what you will see there now bears much more resemblance to a weekly episode of Hill Street Blues than it does a family-friendly neighbourhood. Ward 5 Regional councillor Brian Nicholson offered these comments on social media with regard to what many see as the almost-complete social collapse of the area: “Despite continued efforts to mitigate the negative activities in the Mill Street-Simcoe Street South-First Street communities, the situation continues to deteriorate as individuals continue to abuse the neighbourhoods with drug use, intimidation, debris and nuisance activities. As a result of this deteriorating situation, Mayor Dan Carter, my fellow ward 5 Councillor John Gray and I are setting up a coordination meeting… to review the status of area concerns and to develop a go forward plan to address this situation.” The initial list of those expected to attend such a meeting read like a ‘Who’s Who’ among municipal and other civic leaders in the community – which lent an air of political grandstanding to the idea being floated by the ward councillors. Since that time however, an incremental approach has been established, starting with a recent gathering together of several commissioners within city hall to begin discussions. Those in attendance are responsible for bylaw enforcement, public works, and the zoning that allows for the existence of social service agencies at locations throughout the city. One such agency is DUO, or Do Unto Others, which started as a grassroots volunteer organization seeking to establish the collection and distribution of food and clothing supplies directly to the homeless. They have since evolved into a Regionally-funded operation based at a small store-front location just north of Mill Street. I met with the volunteers who started DUO during a tour of their operation in 2021, and to this day they continue to provide what can only be described as a vital service to people in need, including a place of refuge where those who live on the streets can share in some much needed fellowship. Unfortunately, as their location continues to draw together those experiencing a variety of drug dependencies and mental health issues, the effects on the surrounding neighbourhood have been nothing less than severe. The statistics don’t lie: Within the last 30 days there have been approximately 250 inquiries submitted to city hall with regard to area residents’ concerns, and this includes no less than 58 complaints over human excrement, and 178 for the general cleanup of garbage and personal belongings left strewn about. During the last two months, the neighbourhood has seen a 200% increase in what municipal staff refer to as calls-for-service. This represents $45,000 in staff time and resources coming directly from city hall. A total of approximately 750 inquiries, or complaints, have been filed with the City over the course of the last year. The annual cost to local taxpayers has reached a staggering $3million to basically clean up the mess left by the homeless and others as they congregate downtown and at various social service agencies. The total number of complaints city-wide reached 12,000 and most of those were in the downtown area. What is seemingly even more difficult to accept is the confrontational attitude by many who frequent the area around DUO, with some residents describing what they see as an all-out war against them, including excrement being left on vehicles, and at one point, a fire having been set at the back of a building. Verbal threats, vandalism to property, and constant urinating in public spaces have all worked to create a hostile environment in a once safe, working-class neighbourhood. Another important statistic continues to show the uphill battle being faced by municipal officials, and that is the fact that approximately 80% of those seeking some sort of social service support within the city of Oshawa are in fact from out of town. Councillors I have spoken with describe a scenario where individuals have literally been bussed into the community, with one councillor suggesting they be given a meal and some clothing – and a bus ticket straight back to wherever they came from. There are limits to all things, and that includes the degree to which a community can continue to offer ongoing compassion to those in need. Whatever spirit of goodwill still exists should be directed towards the 4000 area residents who have been suffering so much at the hands of so few in a community some still refer to as part of “traditional Oshawa.” Locals must surely hope for a day when they can walk to their local restaurant, laundromat, or convenience store without the prospect of being accosted or having to witness an act of public indecency. Meanwhile, a second meeting among civic leaders is to be held in the coming days, with representatives of the Region of Durham in attendance. Following that, a public meeting will be organized so residents can meet with their members of council who are expected to outline a practical plan of action. That plan will likely involve a few carefully thought-out improvements towards local law enforcement and a municipally led initiative to crack down on certain landlords and others who appear to be part of the problem. One thing is certain – and that is, the current situation did not develop overnight, and local leadership at all levels has so-far appeared unable or unwilling to fully address the problems being faced. Perhaps the next few months will show some tangible results that will make life better for all concerned.