RZone Policy Updated
Please be advised that the RZone Policy was updated at the August 11 Regular Town Council Meeting and remains in effect at all Town indoor and outdoor facilities including:
- Corporate Office
- Council Chambers
- Customer Service Centre
- Airport
- Annandale National Historic Site
- Community Centre (all areas including arenas, outdoor pad and pool)
- Sports fields
- Parks (including Skate Park and Pump Track)
- Trails
- Parking Lots
- Transit System
The RZone Policy applies to activities that are being conducted on the properties—both structured and unstructured--and to all patrons and guests.
The policy also applies to any interaction in the workplace (telephone, email, in Town vehicles, worksites) as well as any interaction that is a result of employment with the Town (ie: an interaction with a client/patron outside of work hours).
What is RZone?
Individuals using Town facilities have a right to expect that others will behave in a manner consistent with a safe and positive environment in public spaces. With this right comes the responsibility to be accountable for actions/behaviours that put the safety of others at risk.
The RZone Policy requires persons using a Town facility, park, program or service to respect others, and take responsibility in helping the Town maintain a safe and comfortable environment for all participants, spectators, patrons, volunteers and staff.
The Town of Tillsonburg will have zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior, violence, indecency, hate speech or vandalism within its programs or properties, and will take appropriate action where necessary to deal with these incidents.
The RZone Policy helps to ensure that inappropriate behaviours are dealt with in an equitable and consistent manner.
What behaviour does the RZone Policy address?
The RZone Policy covers a wide range of inappropriate behaviours and violence such as:
- Refusal to abide by specific program or facility rules and any contravention of Town by-laws, policies or procedures
- Verbal assaults (profanity and/or loud verbal assaults including racial or ethnic slurs, directed at participants, spectators, referees, staff and volunteers)
- Threats or attempts to intimidate
- Hate speech
- Throwing of articles in a deliberate or aggressive manner
- Aggressive approaches to another individual
- Attempts to goad or incite violence in others
- Physical striking of another individual
- Theft of property
- Vandalism
- Harassment
- Possession of weapons
- Participation in any illegal act on Town of Tillsonburg Property (i.e. drugs, drinking, use of tobacco products in areas designated tobacco free, )
The RZone Policy also addresses inappropriate use of technology, vandalism and harrassment.
The Town of Tillsonburg takes a zero tolerance approach to inappropriate behaviour, violence, indecency, hate speech and vandalism at all Town facilities and will take appropriate action where necessary to deal with these incidents.
How is the RZone Policy enforced?
In accordance with the Occupiers’ Liability Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Trespass to Property Act, the Criminal Code, municipal by-laws and policies and other provincial legislation, contract holders and community volunteers are authorized to initiate enforcement options at Town of Tillsonburg programs and properties.
In the event that the contract holder or community volunteer cannot control the situation:
- When possible, Town of Tillsonburg facility staff will be asked for assistance; or
- In the event that Town of Tillsonburg facility staff are not available, the contract holder and/or community volunteer will contact the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) for assistance.
Anyone found to be violating the RZone Policy may be suspended from all Town of Tillsonburg programs, facilities and properties, not just the facility where the incident took place.
Subsequent acts of inappropriate behaviour, violence, vandalism or inappropriate use of technology or failure to comply with an RZone suspension will result in increased consequences and may be reported to the Oxford OPP detachment, which may result in criminal charges.