Noise-emitting devices augment $611K security fence at Chippewa

Just months after construction wrapped up on the new security fence surrounding Chippewa Intermediate and Secondary School, the Near North District School Board has further bolstered security by adding noise-emitting anti-loitering measures (see video below).

Beginning in November, the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board and partners will operate a temporary cold weather program from the Northern Pines facility across the street from Chippewa, which is likely to increase foot traffic in the Chippewa-High Street corridor that contains several schools, retirement communities, parks and homes.

Beginning last school year, NNDSB has also employed a security guard to keep an eye on the property during the busy intake hours at the low-barrier shelter. Following consultations with neighbouring stakeholders this past summer, Northern Pines has also increased its security detail.

See related: School board's $611K in fences set to keep Chippewa secure

At the project's outset, the Near North District School Board said the $611,000 worth of fences was intended to increase student safety and reduce trespassing on school grounds. In November 2023, NNDSB confirmed the fence was proposed after some troubling incidents on school grounds involving, but not exclusive to, the clients of the low-barrier shelter located across Chippewa Street West at Northern Pines.

See also: Tall and tough to climb, that's Chippewa’s new fence

In recent years, unauthorized people have been wandering onto the Chippewa Secondary School property. There have been multiple attempts to gain entry to the building or others huddling in the school’s entrances to keep out of the weather while waiting for the shelter across the street to open. Discarded drug paraphernalia and human waste are often left behind on school grounds.

There are now multiple operational Mosquito Multi-Age M4K anti-loitering devices at Chippewa, covering the entrances at the south and north end parking lots where there are no fences. They emit a high-frequency buzzing sound designed to deter loitering and to help ensure the safety of individuals coming and going from a building or vehicle. The devices are already deployed in high-risk locations in North Bay, including the nearby pedestrian bridge over the Highway 11/17 bypass and the municipally-owned parking garage on McIntyre Street West.

A request for comment on the purchase and installation of the new devices was acknowledged on Thursday afternoon by the communications team but no response was received by the publication deadline on Friday.

In 2023, when the anti-loitering apparatus was installed in the parking garage, the City of North Bay told BayToday the cost was quite reasonable for such security measures, coming in at $3,400.

The City used a 2021 staff report as part of its reasoning for adding the noisemakers in the downtown parking garage: "These individuals are leaving garbage, used needles, furniture, blood and human waste for City crews to clean up in the mornings. It has become a not uncommon occurrence to find unknown individuals using intravenous drugs and sleeping in the facility."

Are the devices effective? They are certainly annoying. Yet, more than one year after their implementation, taxpayers are still footing the bill for the stairwells at the parking garage to be hosed down daily by City of North Bay crews despite the portable toilet facility stationed just steps away.

See: Chippewa warming centre operators promise to 'mitigate issues'

After weighing its options, the DNSSAB approved the Northern Pines location as a temporary cold weather program in June. Factors influencing the decision included the use of the site as a cold weather program in the past, ease of access to the site and the availability of support services.

When the decision was announced to move the warming centre from its location last winter on Fraser Street, DNSSAB said the experienced staff from Crisis Centre North Bay would operate the temporary cold weather program and provide housing supports, meals and security. The North Bay Regional Health Centre provides psychiatric support onsite. Community paramedics will also be on site regularly to help those with healthcare needs.

— With files from David Briggs and Chris Dawson