Chapleau Town Council's looking at a implementing a "Respect Zone" (or “R-Zone”) policy for the community.
Mayor Michael Levesque explains Council discussed the idea in Monday's Council meeting, prompted by "a number of incidents of intimidation, harassment, and inappropriate behaviour" toward town employees - including by people "under the influence".
Mayor Levesque says the policy will be partly based on one in Timmins, outlining the response to an incident involving what is deemed to be inappropriate behaviour against a town employee.
Mayor Levesque adds that he hopes the policy will also include attacks via social media.
While the full procedure hasn't been finalized, Levesque expects staff would "initially" handle the process as "an operations matter", though he believes Council would be apprised, especially if "it's serious enough" - and he notes the policy would advise town employees to call police if they feel threatened, particularly if they're alone.
The mayor adds that this policy is "kind of part and parcel" with the recently approved formal complaints policy, that outlines how the public can file a complaint about township staff or the work they do.
The proposed "R-Zone" policy's expected to come up for approval March 9th.