Under the proposed bylaw access to alleys in the city like this one in Midtown would be closed to pedestrians and vehicles between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. with some exemptions. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

City Bylaw

Council to discuss exemptions to proposed back alley curfew

Mar 20, 2020 | 12:19 PM

UPDATE: As of late Friday afternoon, the public portion of city council’s Monday Executive Committee meeting had been cancelled. It was not immediatly clear when discussion on the proposed bylaw and other items on the agenda would take place.

Another important step towards a potential curfew in Prince Albert’s alleys will take place at Monday’s executive committee meeting.

City councillors are set to discuss recommended exemptions to the curfew and also review the results of a survey on alley-use sent out to residents in February.

The proposed bylaw would close Prince Albert’s alleys between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. in an effort to curb property crime. A similar curfew restricting access to walkways in the city was passed in February.

The meeting’s agenda, outlines the following exemptions to the proposed curfew, as recommended by city staff:

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1. Those residents who live within 500 metres of an alley
2. Anyone accompanied by someone who’s residence is adjacent to the alley
3. Utility agencies conducting work in the alley
4. Anyone accessing their place of work, or performing work for a volunteer organization
5. Anyone accessing a business, event or parking lot adjacent to the alley
6. Anyone attending to an emergency.

The recommendations are based on the findings of a survey sent out to the 5,500 residences and 120 apartment units in the city that back onto an alley. Of the 809 individuals who responded, 73 per cent said that a ban between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. would not negatively affect their use of the alley. Access to parking or their garage was the top activity respondents said would be impacted.

Asked whether there should be exemptions to the curfew, respondents were fairly evenly split, with 52 per cent indicating there should be some exemptions and 48 per cent saying none were needed.

If council continues to pursue the bylaw it could be passed by the end of April.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandtrom