Not only does vandalism of public washrooms cost the City on average $50,000 a year, but repairs can force the facility to close for days, or even weeks. This was the major topic of discussion during the Oct. 19 Safety & Security Advisory Committee virtual meeting, in which members were asked to provide new ideas for City Council to tackle this ongoing issue.
The committee members agreed that public washrooms are vital for both tourists and residents to enjoy recreational and downtown areas. Without them, things “can get bad really fast, jeopardizing the quality of life for people downtown,” commented committee member Lynn Allin, Executive Director of the Downtown Penticton Association.
Council liaison Coun. Katie Robinson spoke about how washroom security has been an issue for decades. The cost of vandalism totals more than one-third of the City’s annual budget for public washrooms, confirmed the City’s Director of Development Services, Blake Laven.
Penticton has 21 public washroom facilities located at parks and beaches, of which five are heated and open year-round (Okanagan Lake Park, Jubilee, Lakawanna, Skaha East and Skaha Main). Despite patrols by Community Safety Bylaw Enforcement Officers, the problems persist.
“We’re doing proactive checks of the bathrooms,” Tina Siebert, the City’s Bylaw Supervisor, told the committee. “It has become a priority… When vandalized, they are out of commission for an amount of time. It does cause a lot of frustration.”
This summer, security attendants were hired downtown on a trial basis. While this was deemed successful in deterring vandalism, at $8,000 per month per facility, it’s too costly to spread across every washroom, the group heard. To pay attendants at just the five year-round washrooms, it would cost $510,000.
One solution that seems to be helping prevent break-ins at night are welded gates and puck locks, Laven commented.
Committee member Nicolette Rodriguez spoke about an organization in Kelowna called P.E.O.P.L.E. Employment, which is a peer-led mentorship support organization that focuses on personal development programs with experience working on city beautification teams and landscaping. It was suggested that City staff could investigate using an organization such as this to help with washroom security.
Committee member Susan Brown pointed out that structural improvements should be considered. The group discussed the Portland Loo style of toilet, which are standalone bathrooms designed to discourage crime. Committee Chair Matt Taylor commented it would be worth looking into the costs.
The committee made the following seven recommendations to City Council:
- Replace porcelain fixtures with steel as replacements are necessary.
- Continue the fortification with gates and puck locks.
- Investigate Portland Loo style for any new washrooms installed or replacement washrooms.
- Support a pilot for private investment to take over a washroom with commercial component.
- Support a pilot with P.E.O.P.L.E. not-for-profit (persons with lived experience) to assist in washroom security.
- Consider gates on breezeways in the evening.
- Have discussions with other communities on further ideas.
At the Regular Meeting of Nov. 3, 2020, Council endorsed the committee’s recommendation and directed staff to prepare an expression of interest, in consultation with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, for the operation of a concession and public washroom at Okanagan Lake Park.
About the Safety and Security Advisory Committee
The Safety and Security Advisory Committee is made up of nine voting members appointed by City Council for a term ending Dec. 31, 2022. Preference was given for individuals with direct knowledge or interest in safety and security. The current committee members include Adam Power, Cheryl Watts, Daryl Clarke, Lynn Allin, Matt Taylor and Nicolette Rodriguez.
The Council liaisons include Mayor John Vassilaki, Coun. Jake Kimberley and Coun. Katie Robinson.
The committee’s mandate is to make recommendations to Council on all matters referred to them, including providing recommendation on public safety and crime prevention initiatives. They recommend actions, education and marketing initiatives that promote increased public awareness and participation in public safety in the community.
Read more committee updates.