Folks On Spokes Looks To Enhance Safety

By Corey Fischer

Feb 19, 2019 | 2:04 PM

A pilot program to deal with discarded drug needles and garbage clean-up in Vernon is set to start this spring.

Folks on Spokes will work under the umbrella of the Community Safety Office, with residents able to call a hotline when they spot discarded needles, and teams will be dispatched to the problem areas in the mornings.

“Community Safety Office volunteers, already trained to take reports, will staff the line from 8 – 4 p.m weekdays,” says a City news release. “Calls will be forwarded to Bylaw Compliance after hours and on weekends. During the summer, the Vernon Safety Ambassadors will be available to take calls on Saturdays, and all calls will be documented and hot spots will be mapped for future clean-ups.”

The City says teams will hit the streets from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.

“They will be provided with maps updated to reflect the changing needs of the community, such as areas no longer requiring attention and emerging locations.”

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Mayor Victor Cumming says the program will enhance the feeling of safety and address the concerns of businesses and residents.

“The City is taking action,” says Cumming. “People will be able to call the hotline and Folks on Spokes will respond to clean up discarded needles. The program also covers daily clean-ups of identified hotspots in the downtown. Daily clean-ups will work in conjunction with North Okanagan Youth and Family Social Services weekly downtown deep clean. Council’s desire is that people will see fewer discarded needles, and if they do spot needles, they can make a phone call and the needle will be disposed safely and properly.”

The Downtown Vernon Association has indicated it will assist by regularly soliciting feedback from downtown businesses on the successes and challenges of the program. Business outside the business improvement area can provide feedback through the Community Safety Office.

The Social Planning Council will assist with a final evaluation report on the program for City Council, to be completed by December 31, 2019.

City Communications Manager Nick Nilsen says the hotline number will be released once the program is ready to begin.

by Corey Fischer