Lakeshore asked to look to safety and security improvements at Belle River Marina

Staff Reporter

Ward 4 Lakeshore Councillor John Kerr asking to step up security around the Belle River Marina.

Kerr brought forward a notice of motion during this week’s regular council meeting, asking for administration to look into security measures to keep the marina parking lot and boat slips safer.

The motion was brought forward after there was another incident last month where a number of youths with racing motor vehicles, also setting off fireworks over the boats at the northern end of the marina.

There is currently a security guard stationed at the marine, however Kerr says that plan it appears has fallen short.

He would like to see administration develop a parking lot and marina area security plan to improve safety, while not hinder others who wish to use the park in the evening.

“There’s a history where the boaters have been asking the Municipality to improve the security. We have made a number of improvements and continue to update security measures, however it seems to me that more needs to be done.” said Kerr.

Kerr says residents have asked for a fence around the boat slip which includes fencing and security officer-controlled entrance of barrier gate arms at the parking lot entrance just north of the boat trailer section of the parking lot.

“Nobody gets into the parking lot without introducing themselves to the security guard. The gates will be open all day long, but when the park is to be closed, that same security guard will walk over, close the gate, and monitor the parking lot and the boat area from there.”

The motion was unanimously passed by council.

Administration will bring back recommendations to council at a later date.

-More to come-