VIDEO: ‘The whole community is calling for something to be done’

WARNING: Some viewers may find the above video disturbing.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A version of this article originally appeared on SooToday on Aug. 9. It is being republished here for readers who may have missed it.

After a particularly alarming week in the city's commercial core, directors of Sault Ste. Marie's Downtown Association agreed Wednesday night that they're willing to consider helping to pay for private security patrols.

"We've got a lot of concerns regarding safety and security," said Nicholas Rosset, the association's chair.

Rosset was speaking after police revealed details of a July 29 incident in which one man doused another with what appeared to be gasoline before setting him on fire at the intersection of Bruce Street and Queen Street East.

The attacked man escaped without serious injuries, but Sault Ste. Marie was rocked by surveillance video of the incident.

Before that, city police had reported that an individual found unresponsive last Thursday under an external stairwell at nearby GFL Memorial Gardens had died.

Rosset didn't specifically refer on Wednesday to either of these occurrences, but said: "As we obviously know, the whole community is calling for something to be done."

Rosset said he wasn't certain how much the Downtown Association should pay for downtown security.

"I don't know how to answer specifically how we're willing to contribute. However, I think that staff should make a letter of intent to express that we are interested in discussing how that looks," he said.

The business group has been polling its members on their willingness to bear part of the cost of keeping Queenstown safe.

A city council resolution approved last week asked that consideration be given to restoring private security after the city police 'dynamic patrols' conclude at the end of summer.

The Downtown Association paid for overnight private security patrols from 2020 to 2022.

Last year, the city assumed responsibility for the patrols as part of a six-month pilot program.

Last week's council resolution, moved by Ward 2 Coun. Lisa Vezeau-Allen and seconded by Ward 2's Luke Dufour, acknowledged that the current dynamic patrols seem to be working.

"The success of the downtown police dynamic patrols has highlighted the need for a permanent security or police presence in the downtown," said the resolution.

"The presence of police or security in the downtown area will assist in the feeling of safety residents have when in the downtown, and encourage more people to patronize downtown businesses."

"If they're looking for what our view is," said association vice chair Paul Scornaienchi, "my vote would be yes, of course. We're interested in assisting with that realm and we certainly can ask our membership if they're willing to contribute towards the services that they want."

Ward 3 Coun. Angela Caputo said there's been a citywide misconception that the Downtown Association isn't a partner to the city, and in some cases might be a mortal enemy.

"I'm not your mortal enemy," Caputo said.

"I don't think anyone on council is and I think this is a really great stepping-stone to an even greater partnership."

"We want to really encourage all folks who are going to be living down here to feel safe. So having more people inhabit this area will be so wonderful for all the businesses," Caputo said.

The issue is to be discussed at the next city council meeting on Aug. 28.