The safety of operating a business in Downtown North Bay has been called into question.

The co-owners of REVolve Cycle a boutique spin studio say they’re questioning their decision to open a business downtown due to safety concerns.

Jane Kelly says they’ve seen some awful things they weren’t expecting.

“I saw a man urinating in behind our studio one bright afternoon. Another was urinating in the McIntyre Parking Garage mid day. Someone was shooting heroin right behind our studio and his friend fired up the meth pipe at 11 o’clock in the morning,” she says.

She says they’ve been yelled at by a homeless person in an outside class.

“The instructors were accosted by a belligerent homeless man who refused to leave us alone and then began throwing things at us. Eventually, the police were called. No fewer than 10 homeless people interrupted our outdoor ride. I’m appalled but more than that I’m scared,” she says.

Meantime, Councillor Dave Mendicino says their ambassador program of talking things out is working and he asks Kelly and her co-partner to be patient.

“Believe us, change can’t happen fast enough but we certainly know the issues that are going on. I feel for you, I do,” he says.

He says things are improving but not fast enough.

Kelly says they need to see more police and that some businesses are looking at hiring their own security.

City Councillor Chris Mayne who has a downtown business says calling police isn’t always the best answer.

” If it’s an illegal activity that’s going on by all means call the police. But if it’s someone who is working through an addiction issue and is emotionally upset there are more appropriate resources we can call on,” Mayne says.

There were also calls for more provincial support and Mayor Al McDonald says efforts are being made in that area.

(photo by station staff)

 

Filed under: downtown, Jane Kelly, REVolve Studio