Grassroots step in, take charge after downtown safety meeting ‘postponed’

The Downtown Association today announced it's postponing a planned town hall meeting about the hot-button issues of security and safety on Queen Street.

As SooToday reported last night, the public meeting was to be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26 at Mane Street Café at 626 Queen St. East.

Here's the postponement notice sent this afternoon by the Downtown Association to its members:

Dear valued member,

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Safety & Security information session scheduled for Thursday, September 26th has been postponed.



We are working to reschedule a new date and time for this information session - please stay tuned for updates.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.



Kind regards,
Team DTA

Asked by SooToday why the meeting was called off one day after it was announced, the Downtown Association declined to comment beyond the above statement.

But a source close to the matter told us some presenters withdrew after learning the meeting would be open to the public, and not just businesses.

Representatives of Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, Social Services and Canadian Mental Health Association were scheduled to attend, make presentations and answer audience questions.

Meanwhile, a former police officer and founder of the now-closed and sold private drop-in space Lodge 137 has booked the same meeting room at the same time for a grassroots discussion of downtown safety issues.

"There is still a need to have this conversation," says Julie Hryniewicz.

Hryniewicz sent us this announcement:

Business owners, residents, and agency workers are all facing the same crisis with security and safety concerns. 

This town hall, which apparently was supposed to be more of an info session for how businesses can mitigate the issues, likely became an open door for everyone to vent their frustrations.

Since the Downtown Association has had to reschedule their meeting, I would personally still like to have this community town hall, focused on solutions.

The discussion will be streamed online and available for replay (details to follow).  

Please attend to the event hall, via Mane Street Café front entrance, 626 Queen Street East. 

Parking is available in the Brock/Albert parking lot, behind the building. 

The gathering will take place 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday Sept. 26.