News & Updates
Here you will find all sorts of cool things we are working on, important member events and information.
Waste Management
More information to come. Please check back!
October/November 2025
Important Waste Collection Survey
The Region of Waterloo is conducting this survey to better understand the waste collection needs of businesses located within the Downtown Areas (Business Improvement Areas/Designated Downtown Areas) that are eligible for Regional waste services. Complete the survey before noon on November 5th!
January, 2024
The Future of DTK Garbage Collection
The Region of Waterloo is undertaking a study as the contract for picking up waste in Downtown Kitchener is up for renewal in March of 2026. We believe that change could be on the horizon. our perspective as a business owner is crucial, considering the potential impact of these changes on your operations, waste disposal, recycling challenges, and the absence of an organic waste program.
Recommendations and findings collected by Regional staff and Dillion Consulting will be presented at Regional Council this spring to endorse future service levels.
Safety & Security
November 2025
Overnight Security Reminder
Effective November 2, 2025, TNT Security will no longer be providing overnight security services. We anticipate the return of overnight security in Spring 2026 and are currently exploring the best options for re-engagement at that time.
In the meantime, please refer to the following safety resources:
- Emergencies (police, fire, or medical): Call 9-1-1.
- Non-emergencies (no immediate threat to life, health, or property): Call Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) at 519-570-9777.
- Downtown Safety Ambassadors (available daily, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
- WRPS Downtown Visibility Officers (available Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
For any other safety concerns, please contact Alison Grech.
April, 2025
Meet our new Community Safety & Wellbeing Coordinator, Alison Brown
Alison will join us in a new contract role to support safety and data collection. Following feedback received at the recent January 20th Town Hall Meeting, it became evident that members are encountering frustrations with the current reporting system.
We are pleased to report that Waterloo Regional Police Service is making changes to the online reporting system to make the process easier, but stressed that reporting all incidents is still crucial to their Crime Suppression model.
Alison will be instrumental in highlighting safety impacts on our downtown business community and supporting members with inputting incident reports to ensure the data-driven model for crime suppression properly highlights members' experiences.
March, 2025
Downtown Safety Ambassadors
We've been working closely with the City of Kitchener Bylaw team to bring two additional Downtown Safety Ambassadors to the core. Funded by the BIA, these added Ambassadors are here to continue creating a safe and inclusive space for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.
The Downtown Safety Ambassador program (designed and managed through Bylaw) is to be proactive and reactive, ensuring our downtown area is safe and welcoming. Championing a vision where everyone's needs are met, from supporting our most vulnerable members to maintaining a lively hub for commerce and tourism.
Starting this April and running through October, these dedicated Ambassadors will be available (in addition to the other four full-time ambassadors) Wednesday through Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
February, 2025
Downtown Safety Ambassadors
The Downtown Safety Ambassador team has increased their program hours to run 7 days per week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
January 17, 2025
Member Backgrounder - WRPS
The following is a resource guide for businesses located in DTK outlining the deployment of resources by the Waterloo Regional Police Service as well as some recent operational updates for your awareness.
January 2025
Member Safety Meeting
On Monday, January 20th, 2025, we will facilitate a member meeting where we will collaboratively address important topics such as safety. Representatives from the Region of Waterloo, Member of Parliament and Provincial Parliament for Kitchener Centre, the City of Kitchener, and Waterloo Regional Police Services will be in attendance to listen to the voices of our member businesses.
October 29, 2024
The Downtown Safety Ambassador (DTK) Program
An initiative launched by the City as part of their broader efforts to address safety and well-being in the downtown core. This pilot program is designed to be both reactive and proactive, fostering a safe and welcoming environment for residents, visitors, and businesses alike. Their approach centers on balancing diverse needs—supporting vulnerable populations while ensuring the downtown remains a thriving space for commerce and tourism. The ambassadors work closely with community partners to create an environment where everyone feels safe and supported.
Proactive and Reactive Engagement The ambassadors serve as a non-enforcement arm of bylaw enforcement, focusing on two key areas:
Proactive Engagement: Ambassadors regularly patrol key areas, engage with individuals before issues arise, and provide resources to those in need. Their presence offers early intervention, helping to prevent situations from escalating.
Reactive Support: When concerns or disruptions occur, the ambassadors respond promptly, offering assistance and connection to services. They also help "move people along" when necessary, maintaining a respectful presence while de-escalating situations.
Downtown Safety Ambassadors The Downtown Safety Ambassadors currently service the core Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please note these hours may change based on need and programming.
May 3, 2024
Exciting news - the City of Kitchener, is launching a new Downtown Safety Ambassador Program.
The intention of the program is to provide safety through relationship building. The Downtown Safety Ambassadors will offer directions, connect with DTK businesses, and work with street outreach, and other partners.
Depending on programming, the ambassadors will work from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday or Wednesday to Sunday and be easily identifiable with branded t-shirts and sweaters.
Should you require support, please reference the Who to Call Card
Waterloo Region Police Service
Update from WRPS - September, 2023:
Cst. Matt Wilson has joined the team at Central Division, and will be a dedicated officer to the downtown core.
Statement from WRPS - April, 2020:
The Waterloo Regional Police Service continues to provide essential service in the Kitchener Downtown. Increased presence by our Community Engagement Officers, Central CORE Team, Community Resource Officers and Zone Officers is ongoing and we are responding to concerns throughout the downtown. I would encourage business to include messages about closures to be temporary and check your business regularly. It is important to report any activity, property damage or other issues promptly so we can respond.
Please reach out to us via Slack, email or by phone if you have any questions or comments.
Statement from WRPS - March, 2020:
"The Waterloo Regional Police Service continues to offer essential service to the community.
We understand business owners may be feeling anxious at this time of uncertainty. We want to reassure you that it is business as usual for us and officers will remain on patrol throughout Waterloo Region responding to calls for service.
This is a time when our community needs to come together, to help each other, and to watch out for one another. We remind business owners and residents of this community to report any suspicious activity or individuals to police."
Process
Finance Overview
An operating budget is prepared annually by the Executive Director and then reviewed for input and approval by the Board of Directors. Members are given the opportunity to provide feedback following the Annual Town Hall Meeting. Once feedback is collected and the Board of Directors has approved the budget, it is submitted to the City of Kitchener for Council approval.
Should you have any questions regarding the information above, please contact Linda Jutzi.
Member Town Hall
October 9, 2025
We have scheduled our Annual Town Hall Meeting for Monday, October 20, at 1:30 p.m. At the meeting, we will present the 2026 Operating Budget to the membership.
Please see below the Annual Town Hall package:
Agenda 2024 Town Hall Minutes 2026 Operating Budget
To help us prepare, if you are able, please RSVP here. Should you have any questions regarding the 2026 Operating Budget, please contact Linda Jutzi to schedule a meeting.
April 30, 2025
Town Hall - May 27 - Follow up meeting regarding DTK safety
On January 20th, 2025 our members shared their concerns about Downtown Safety. We are pleased to bring you this follow up session. Much work has been done by the DTK BIA, the City of Kitchener, Waterloo Regional Police Service and the Region of Waterloo. At this meeting you will learn about many new initiatives that have been developed to address the concerns you shared with us in January.
Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, May 27th, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. as the group will share progress updates and discuss plans for the future.
Please RSVP to Stefanie Golling.
Waterloo Region Extreme Heat and Cold Partnership
Click here for the October 8, 2025 Warming, Cooling and Clean Air Spaces
Click here for the June 23, 2025 Heat Warning for Waterloo Region
Community Services have updated their Pocket Card of food and housing resources and have hard copies available at the 3 local Welcome Spaces (which are also Warming, Cooling and Clean Air Spaces).
Regional and Municipal Updates
Long-Term Parking Strategy
January 28, 2025
The City of Kitchener recently asked for input on the parking in Downtown Kitchener. Immediate feedback from BIA members was that it did not fully capture the experience of business owners and employees. Thank you for letting us know. They have additionally created a DTK business specific survey to help capture information that may have not been inputted on the original. Please share the survey below with your employees. The Survey includes a comment area where additional information can be provided. We appreciate you taking the time to help us create an updated parking vision for Downtown Kitchener.
January 17, 2025
The City of Kitchener is developing a Long-Term Parking strategy. The strategy will be a 20-year visionary guide for a coordinated, strategic approach to parking. Your input is important! Please answer the survey included by clicking the button below. Please note this survey closes on Friday, January 31, 2025.
January 28, 2025
The Plan to End Chronic Homelessness (Region of Waterloo)
Developing an effective plan requires an innovative approach. Attached below is a link to the Region of Waterloos timeline and plan to end chronic homelessness.