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Date
June 1, 2021Report No.
2021-385To
Chair and MembersCommittee of the Whole – Operations and Administration
From
Marlene Miranda, General ManagerCommunity Services and Social Development
1.0 Type of Report
Consent Item [ ]
Item For Consideration [X]
2.0 Topic Neighbourhood Association Community Safety Toolkits: Program Plan [Financial Impact: None]
3.0 Recommendation
A. THAT Report 2021-385 Neighbourhood Association Community Safety Toolkits: Program Plan BE RECEIVED
B. THAT staff BE DIRECTED to implement the Community Safety Toolkit Program Plan as outlined in the Analysis Section of this Report
4.0 Executive Summary
On March 23, 2021 Brantford City Council approved a Resolution directing staff to work with the Neighbourhood Alliance of Brantford (NAB) and Brantford Police Services to develop Community Safety Toolkits for distribution through the Neighbourhood Association network.
In response, NAB created a Community Safety Sub-committee consisting of Neighbourhood Association volunteers, city staff and members of the Brantford
Police Services. This Community Safety Sub-Committee has developed a Program Plan that will be implemented following Council approval.
Simultaneously, the Sub-Committee will research the feasibility of a Community Watch Program, and staff will provide a report to Brantford City Council in December 2021 with options for consideration.
5.0 Purpose and Overview
This report provides an update and Program Plan in response to the approved Resolution of Council directing staff to collaboratively develop Community Safety Toolkits for use by Neighbourhood Associations.
1.0 Background
On March 23, 2021 Brantford City Council approved the following Resolution:
WHEREAS the Neighbourhood Alliance of Brantford is a committee comprised of neighbourhood association executive members whose goal is to work with staff to guide and provide resources to assist with the delivery of neighbourhood association programs & activities; and
WHEREAS the Neighbourhood Alliance of Brantford met virtually on Thursday January 28th, 2021 and communicated a commitment to taking a proactive approach with city staff and community stakeholders, to develop resources to address community safety; and
WHEREAS Neighbourhood Associations have been actively providing
community based programming to residents in Brantford since the early 1940’s;
and
WHEREAS it has been identified by the Neighbourhood Alliance of Brantford that tools and resources are required to support neighbourhood efforts in addressing community safety issues; and
WHEREAS several Neighbourhood Associations have expressed interest in supporting and contributing to a plan to develop tools and resources that will assist Neighbourhood Associations with addressing community safety issues;
and
WHEREAS Mandy Samwell in her dual role as the Neighbourhood Alliance of Brantford Chair and the Eagle Place Community Association President, has
already been working with Brantford Police Services and Community
Stakeholders and has indicated her willingness to take a leadership role in the development of this project; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
A. THAT staff BE DIRECTED to consult with Brantford Police Services, City Departments, and other community stakeholders about the development of a Community Watch Programs; and provide a report to Council before December 31, 2021 that outlines research on best practices, options for implementation, costs, and the capacity of partner agencies, including Brantford Police Services, to support the program
B. THAT staff BE DIRECTED to consult with Neighbourhood
Association volunteers, Brantford Police Services, and other relevant stakeholders to develop a ‘Community Toolkit’ that would include marketing materials and workshops to support community safety and information sharing, and provide a report to Council by the end of June 2021 outlining a program plan and any associated costs.
2.0 Corporate Policy Context
2021-2022 Council Priorities
All neighbourhoods in the City are safe, vibrant, attractive and inclusive Work with Brantford Police Service and other community partners to address short term needs associated with community safety, including CCTV cameras, increased police presence, and solutions to petty crime
3.0 Input From Other Sources
Neighbourhood Alliance of Brantford Brantford Police Services
4.0 Analysis
In response to this Resolution, the Neighbourhood Alliance of Brantford (NAB) appointed a Community Safety Sub-committee to guide the development of the Program Plan, comprised of the following members:
Jim Hardie, Centennial Neighbourhood Association
Jayme Wilson-Belore, Downtown Central Neighbourhood Association
Mandy Samwell, Eagle Place Community Association
Paul MacDougall, East Ward Echo Place Neighbourhood Association
Sarah McLaughlin, Greenbrier Neighbourhood Association
Sylvia Collins, Holmedale Neighbourhood Association
Ian Galloway, Holmedale Neighbourhood Association
Chad Crawford, Myrtleville Mayfair Neighbourhood Association
Rob Milmine, Shellard Neighbourhood Association
The Community Safety Sub-Committee was supported by the following staff from the City of Brantford and Brantford Police Services:
Inspector Kristen Bell-Samson, Brantford Police Services
Sgt. Amber Jackson, Brantford Police Services
Lori-Dawn Cavin, City of Brantford
Maegen Rutten, City of Brantford
4.1 Community Safety Toolkit Program Plan
To date, the Sub-Committee has participated in five virtual meetings, and developed a Community Safety Toolkit Program Plan, outlined below for Council’s approval (see Table 1: Community Safety Toolkit Program Plan).
Table 1: Community Safety Toolkit Program Plan
A
CTION ANDD
ESCRIPTIONS
TATUSAction #1: Resource and asset mapping Complete
Action #2: Develop Community Safety Toolkit inventory Complete Action #3: Create project brand and logo Pending
Action #4: Explore online hosting of resources Pending
Action #5: Develop social media campaign Pending
Action #6: Explore a Community Safety TikTok account Pending
Action #7: Explore sustainable project plans for ‘Slow Down’
signs
Pending
Action #8: Distribute toolkits through Neighbourhood Associations
Pending
Action #9: Host ‘Town Hall‘ Education Series Pending
Action #10: Ongoing feedback and evaluation Pending
Action #11: Annual reporting to City Council Pending
4.2 What will be included in the Community Safety Toolkits?
The Toolkit will be a collection of electronic and paper resources, vetted by Brantford Police Services, that can be uniquely branded and marketed for each neighbourhood. The following is a preliminary list of resources, however the Community Safety Sub-Committee is committed to ongoing
research and discussion with Brantford Police Services, and additional resources will be added and updated as the program continues.
“Who to Call” Resources
Child Identification Kits
Home Safety Audit Checklist
Public Space Safety Audit Checklist
4.3 Update Regarding Community Watch Proposal
Clause A of the approved Council Resolution directs staff to explore the feasibility of a neighbourhood-based Community Watch Program. At the March 2, 2021 meeting of the Committee of the Whole - Operations and Administration, Members requested an interim report on the progress of the Community Watch proposal.
At present, staff continue to work with the NAB Community Safety Sub- Committee and Brantford Police Services to research and develop the proposal in advance of a report to Council in December 2021. This research includes reviewing programs from other communities that could be adapted to a local context, and determining what resources would be required for implementation.
4.4 Alignment with the Community Safety and Well-being Plan
The recommended Community Safety and Well-being Plan (Report 2021- 389, Community Safety and Well-being Plan) outlines six key priorities.
1. Safe and Vibrant Neighbourhoods 2. Children and Youth
3. Older Adults
4. Diversity and Inclusion 5. Affordable Housing 6. Substance Use
The Community Safety Toolkit program is an excellent example of transitioning these priorities into tangible actions at the neighbourhood level, and working collaboratively with Brantford Police Services to develop programs and projects to improve community safety.
Supporting neighborhood-based programming is also a key component of the City’s Accommodation Strategy, which will maximize the use of
community centres and other buildings to expand accessible programming within City neighbourhoods.
5.0 Financial Implications
There are no Financial Implications associated with this report. The Community Safety Sub-committee has determined an upset limit of $5,000.00 for all
program costs, which will be funded through the Neighbourhood Hubs budget.
6.0 Conclusion
Neighbourhood Associations play a significant role in the engagement of residents and enhancing the quality of life within neighbourhoods. These volunteer based activities increase civic pride, reduce isolation, and develop a sense of community. Staff recommend the approval of the Community Safety Toolkit Program Plan as an important grassroots contribution to the goal of enhancing neighbourhood safety and inclusion.
Marlene Miranda, General Manager
Community Services and Social Development
Prepared By:
Lori-Dawn Cavin, Manager, Community Recreation and Events Attachments (if applicable): None
Copy to:
In adopting this report, is a by-law or agreement required? If so, it should be referenced in the recommendation section.
By-law required [ ] yes [X] no
Agreement(s) or other documents to be signed by Mayor and/or City Clerk [ ] yes [X] no
Is the necessary by-law or agreement being sent concurrently to Council? [ ] yes [X] no
