Policy Statement
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The Parks and
Recreation Division gives Staff the authority to ask an individual(s) to
leave a program, location or city-owned site when displaying inappropriate,
disruptive, or aggressive behaviour that threatens the security/safety of
Staff, Participants, and property. Depending upon the severity of the
behaviour, Staff may choose to suspend, ban or issue a Trespass Notice.
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Definitions
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SUSPENSION:
A suspension prohibits an individual from access to a program or facility for
a specified period of time (short term). The length of a suspension is at the
discretion of Staff, to be no longer than one week.
BANNING:
Banning involves prohibiting an individual from entering the facility and/or
program for a longer period of time. Full Time Recreation Staff must
notify the Supervisor of Recreation and Facilities of the banned individual.
Once the ban is over, the individual must request a meeting with the Full
Time Recreation Staff before returning to the facility or program.
TRESPASS:
If a more serious incident occurs, (e.g. theft, violence, assault, weapons
substance abuse etc.). The Supervisor of Recreation and Facilities in
consultation with Recreation Staff must issue a Trespass Notice. A Trespass
Notice involves filing a report with the Toronto Police Services, which
prohibits access by an individual to one or more city-owned facilities for a
specified period of time, in accordance with provisions of "Trespass to
Property Act". Non compliance by the individual warrants contacting
Toronto Police Services to take appropriate action.
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Procedure
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Staff
encountering behaviour that requires Suspension, Banning or issuing a
Trespass Notice, from a facility or program must follow these procedures:
- Once an individual is
identified as being disruptive and dangerous, the Staff in the immediate
area should seek assistance from other Staff.
- If required call 9-911
- Staff need to be
sensitive to the extenuating circumstances and consider each individual
situation including person with a disability/special need. During the
initial intervention, it is imperative that Staff consults with the
Program Supervisor, the parent/guardians and other appropriate staff
when making decisions.
- Staff should not try to
intervene in a fight or handle the situation on their own.
- The individual causing
the problem should be verbally notified of their misconduct and asked to
leave the premises immediately.
- When dealing with an
individual under 17 years - refer to Child and Youth Guidance Policy.
- Staff are required to get
Supervisors approval to issue a Trespass to Property Notice.
- If the individual does
not abide by the decision of staff, additional action may be required in
consultation with the Supervisor of Recreation and Facilities and/or the
Regional Manager.
- If an individual(s)
violates the Trespass Notice by, Staff are authorized to call police or
security.
- If Staff suspect that an
individual(s) is carrying a weapon, call police (9-9-1-1) and ensure
that Participants/Staff are safe. DO NOT APPROACH!
- All City owned and
operated facilities/program locations should be informed of individuals
who have been issued a Trespass notice and a copy of the documentation
should be forwarded to staff for the on call binder.
(Serious offenses only)
- When serving an
individual with a Trespass Notice ensure all the specific facility
details are clearly indicated and documented on the form.
- All incidents must be
documented on the Participant Injury/Incident Report form.
- At the end of the
Suspension, Ban and Trespass period, the individual must contact the
Recreation Staff to arrange a meeting before being allowed back into
program and/or facility.
- The Recreation Manager
will deal with the appeal.
- If Trespass decision is reversed it is the Managers
responsibility to notify Toronto Police Services.
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