A candidate for Windsor City Council has promised to help reduce petty crime and traffic congestion around schools.
Ward 1 challenger Darcie Renaud announced her plan for safe neighbourhoods on Monday morning outside Vincent Massey Secondary School. She said Massey has been the centre of a sore point for residents and the school community alike, with heavy traffic and congestion twice a day during the school year.
Renaud told WindsorNewsToday.ca that the residents she has spoken with have had it with the school traffic.
"I've talked to neighbours, and residents on streets all over Massey's neighbourhood, and in some cases, they've told me that there are points in the day, for up to an hour at a time, where they're unable to get down their own streets or get out of their driveways," said Renaud.
She said if she is elected next week, Renaud will introduce traffic calming proposals for the ward and work with the Greater Essex County District School Board on mitigating the congestion around Massey. Renaud has also pledged to use ward funds to improve the process of getting new street lighting to help discourage petty crime. Under the current system, residents who want street lighting must petition the City and pay for the lights themselves.
St. Clair College's main campus has also been a point of contention for traffic problems, added Renaud, with concerns about a lack of parking around campus and the condition of rental housing.
In addition, Renaud has promised to tackle minor crimes in the ward. While Ward 1 has not had the negative press generated by crime in the downtown core, she has heard from residents who have complained about vandalism, mischief, and street racers who have kept them up at night.
"It's not everywhere I go that they talk about that, but there are some neighbourhoods where they are seeing significant increases, at least in their view, of petty crime," said Renaud.
Renaud is challenging Ward 1 incumbent Fred Francis for the second election in a row. This year, it's a two-person race.
The municipal election is next Monday, October 24.