Man’s brutal assault in Orillia park sparks safety discussions

The Orillia Ontario Provincial Police discussed safety in parks after Jordan Duffy was brutally attacked on May 26 by a group of youths.

Two weeks ago, a violent assault at Couchiching Beach Park in Orillia sparked questions about public safety.

On Thursday, Ontario Provincial Police board met to find some solutions to those concerns.

A violent assault of a young man, now known to be Jordan Duffy, 23, by a group at Couchiching Beach Park set off the maelstrom of outrage in the media and social media.

Duffy suffered serious injuries after he attempted to break up an earlier argument between several teenage girls.

He was severely beaten and hit in the head with a glass container.

The city recognized Duffy and another man, Chris Landra – who had stepped in to help Duffy – for their bravery on that day with an Orillia certificate of bravery.

“I was always raised like, if something unfair is happening, step in, right? I saw the three girls picking on the one girl, I knew the one girl, to me it was very unfair,” Duffy said.

Orillia city councillors want to ensure it never happens again.

“I think we really have to work hard to make our community and our parks safe for our children and our grandchildren,” said Counc. Ralph Cipolla.

Cipolla is the chairperson of the Couchiching OPP detachment board that had gathered to discuss how to make Orillia’s public spaces safe.

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Police are looking to increase their foot, bike and cruiser patrols through parks in Orillia, Ramara, Oro-Medonte and Severn townships.

“The incidents are increasing in our parks because some of the youths don’t have anywhere else to go,” Cipolla said.

The board also discussed the possibility of implementing 24/7 video surveillance cameras as another measure should budgets allow.

But increasing police visibility is a step Orillia has already taken.

“Certainly, we’ve increased the OPP foot patrols in the park and the downtown as a result, the county has also added resources,” said Mayor Don McIsaac.

McIsaac says the city is looking into other measures - such as issuing trespassing orders against the individuals involved.

Yet McIsaac says the court process must play out for several suspects who now facing criminal charges.

“It’s regrettable, it’s unfortunate, it should never happen,” McIsaac said of the attack.

Cipolla said the board meeting was a step in the right direction.

“It’s a start for us to be more careful, more involved and get the police more involved in our public spaces,” Cipolla said.