Barbara Spyropoulos, Director, CPTED Canada
Toronto Police 12 Division is transected by a major rail line extending approximately 2,000 metres and currently shared by CN, CPKC, Go Transit and Metrolinx-UP Express. The corridor is bordered variously by industrial areas, single family homes, and high-rise apartments.
Rail lands are under federal jurisdiction overseen by Transport Canada. The Railway Safety Act of Canada requires fencing as a safety and access control measure but does not specify the type of fencing that must be used. Chain-link fencing is often seen in urban centres while page fencing can be found in farm areas. (Figure 1) Cattle, apparently more intelligent than humans, can be dissuaded from entering rail lands by this simple fencing but humans often defeat the chain-link fence by either burrowing underneath or cutting it.
In 12 Division, the significant increase in rail traffic that came with the introduction of the UP Express became a deterrent to trespassing due to the elevated risk of being hit by a train. However, prior to that, not only were the rail lands a common shortcut for residents, but they were also a convenient access and escape route for criminals. This made policing more difficult and dangerous as foot pursuit would often be the primary option.
So, what to do? The first thing was to form a Rail Lands Management Team with representation from all agencies involved. In 2005, CP (now CPKC) Sgt Ron Morrison introduced the team to a Wisconsin project in which hardy roses reinforced the chain-link fence. (See Figure 2.) The team agreed to try this approach and Michael Saunders from the City of Toronto’s Economic Development Department helped obtain funding for the plants.
Consultation with numerous plant experts led to a list of plants that were matched to specific sites to optimize their success in particular micro-environments. Plants were also selected to serve a variety of purposes: anti-trespass barriers, graffiti screens, and hardy ground cover. Volunteers were solicited from area residents’ groups and business associations and placement opportunities were offered to the local parole office for both adult and young offenders.
On planting day, all were assembled – volunteers, supervisors, plants. The fire department was there to provide water; local restaurants provided food; Davy Tree Services contributed a load of wood chips for mulch. And away we went. Although we made significant progress, by late afternoon the insanity of planning to finish a venture this big in a single day was glaring. Fortunately, the dozen young offenders on our team asked to take over the project and they worked for the next three weekends until we were finally finished.
We had hoped to raise awareness of the dangers of trespassing on rail lands, which we did to a degree, but some people never learn. While surveying the progress of the plants some months later, we found evidence of young children using the tracks as a play area. This set off a flurry of activity that resulted in the erection of Secura Fencing along the stretch that bordered on single family homes. This very expensive fencing consists of hot-dipped galvanized metal with small mesh size that is extremely hard to cut or climb. (See Figure 3)
When Metrolinx began construction for the UP Express, much of this work was lost. The Metrolinx fencing can be seen in Figure 4. Note the vines that have grown up the fence, not only reinforcing it, but also protecting against graffiti. This section of the rail lands had been a dumping ground as all the streets essentially dead-ended at the rail line. However, as seen in the photo, the area is remarkably clean.
The involvement of the neighbours in cleaning up, planting and caring for the roses allowed them to reclaim their neighbourhoods, form strong local associations and extend their efforts by planting more flowers. Eyes and feet on the street increased as people sat on their front porches or went for a stroll to view ‘their gardens’. The result was less illegal dumping and less criminal activity. Some of the plants still survive. This community ownership survives as well as seen by the cleanliness of the laneway (Figure 4). We will explore this further in a future blog.
The full Living Fence Report can be obtained from Barbara Spyropoulos at spyro12d@gmail.com. The report includes the types of plants used, their characteristics, sources for materials, and prices which are now outdated but can give an idea of relative costs. Just don’t try to plant over 700 shrubs in a single day!