Chilliwack Healthier Community Strategic Action Plan

CHCSAP Session 1 – Crime & Public SafetyPage 1.

CHILLIWACK HEALTHIER COMMUNITY STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION 1 – CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY

October 15, 2010

Session Notes

1.Inventory of Community Strengths:

ACHIEVEMENTS: Strengths and capabilities:

community influence
community schools and neighbourhood programs in the schools
Citizens on Patrol partnering with Promontory Resident’s Association to deal with problems in the area and reduce the crime by banding together
commitment to crime reduction through prevention
job creation as crime prevention
networking and support, collaboration
Restorative Justice
Prolific Offender Management program – unique approach to deal with repeat offenders
identifying prolific offenders and social offenders
programs for Corrections; protocol partnerships with Corrections; partnerships with Probation and integrated services with probation Officers and Citizens on Patrol
youth diversion programs
partnerships with law enforcement and social agencies (i.e. MDO, Integrated PO, crime reduction strategies
network and communication through various social groups
volunteers

2.Capturing Themes in Community Strengths

community input consultation and influence
localized programs
Citizens on Patrol – engagement
commitment
volunteers
unique approach / delivery
partnerships
connections
enforcement
emphasis on prevention
collaboration
restorative justice approach
diverse approaches

3.Identifying Services, Programs and Gaps

(NOTE: the number to the right represents the number of “votes” each issue received in the large group)

vibrant spaces – walkability (2)
sociological data / info (4)
role of UFV in data analysis and research (1)
pilot projects
facilities for youth – Promontory and other area (1)
# of police members (4)
transportation (2)
urban planning for youth (2)

* examine those communities that are ranked best vs. those ranked worst – may give us a better insight of what we have to do.

4.Identifying and Exploring Issues and Opportunities:

a)Top 3 issues in this focus area: (table group)

early education and personal planning and life skills to learn to make better decisions (12)
embrace the youth of our community and provide opportunities for social and sport network to spend their time in more productive ways (4)
political will and commitment (3)
lack of parental engagement (5)
capacity issues: funding, resources, level of policing is inadequate; to avoid burn out we want to focus on prevention (10)
legal system –judges need to be on board for holistic approach in dealing with prolific offenders (4)
citizen involvement in community groups (1)
repatriation issues – lack of social enterprise programs for former offenders (5)
synergy / partnerships between communities (geographic) (5)
sharing of experiences (1)

b)Opportunities:

development of prolific offender working group
establishment of health contact centre
increase funding for current capacity
community promotion to increase family places
introduce special levy in municipal taxes for policing and public safety programming
money saving opportunities:
peer to peer advocacy
non-RCMP forensics (university students)
community safety officers
social enterprises that employ ex-offenders
in-school mentorship program partnerships between police, schools, Big Brothers/Sisters (7 – 12 year olds partnered with adult mentor one hour per week) Well documented successes and research worked in Hope Agassiz

ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE TODAY:

successful
complex
satisfactory
worthwhile
encouraging
positive
thoughtful
energize
informative
confusing
exciting
helpful
writer’s cramp
impressed
satisfied

5.How do we define “Healthier”?

a)I know we have a healthier community (in this focus area) when I see:

Increase in number of stable two-parent families
Volunteers involved in safety programs
Woman-to-woman mentoring and support – informal and informed
Joint planning to work with the social prolific offenders
Lots of people walking downtown at night
Less graffiti
Less crime
Less street workers, gang graffiti and broken windows (etc.)
95% of people in Chilliwack have normal body mass index
Progressive partnerships
People walking down the streets; people talking to their neighbours; people getting involved in their community
Less problems with addictions and crime rates
People walking the streets in Chilliwack in calm manner
Major increase in 40 developmental assets scores year over year – for a decade
More collaboration within the business community

b)I know we have a healthier community (in this focus area) when I hear:

People are referred by the social network to community resources
Of growing community partnerships
A success in the community
95% of people in Chilliwack say they are loved by someone
Fewer sirens
Success stories
Less emergency sirens; laughter of people on streets
Plenty of positive feedback given to people who care
Less sirens, hear more laughter
Communication
Laughter
Of less victims
Less “who dunnit” and more “who got hurt and what can we do about it?”
People talking prevention

c)I know we have a healthier community (in this focus area) when I feel:

Welcome and interested in the social scene in downtown core after 6:00 p.m.
Safe x 3
The police are spending their time on crime and keeping our streets safe
A safer community
Members of the community don’t have to back track toward solutions (be proactive)
I can approach anyone on the street and ask for help
Safe, happiness and unity
Public confidence and safety
Safe to walk and bike anywhere and anytime in Chilliwack
Energized and healthy myself.

What measures or quantitative objectives are currently used to track success in addressing crime and public safety issues?

Crime statistics; general feeling of safety (by public)
Correction protocol with federal / provincial institutions and MHSD probation integration officer for prolific offenders in partnership with MHSD and Mental Health working with social network on Mayor’s 3 priority social issues
Business losses through crime and safety perception are reduced year by year
Arrest records; admissions records (to hospital and treatment programs)
Decrease in crime rates; prevention programs
Statistics Canada Crime stats; police based stats (local); various regional and provincial government agency based stat analysis (i.e. FHA, etc.; post secondary institutions (i.e. UFV, UBC, etc.)
This community engagement process; task force groups to deal with gangs
Convictions for offences
Actual statistics – measuring incidents and trends
Fraser Health community profiles – decision support; caseload/officer; smart growth, walkability ratings; the different crime stats reported by Karen
Reduction of crime levels; reduction in calls for service; increased levels of police visibility

What other measures or indicators for success could be used in addressing crime and public safety issues in Chilliwack?

More attention on prevention and community partnerships (not letting individuals fall through the cracks)
Crime reduction; raised awareness
A much higher proportion of money spent on preventive social environments and services including life skills education, parenting / empathy skills, downtown walkability than on emergency interventions through police / justice, medical, social services, etc.
Indicators based on sociological information from research into “why” a community experiences spikes and/or dramatic drops in addiction and mental health issues
More people are seeing that they have problems / issues they need help for and aren’t afraid to ask for help
Perhaps a quantitative measure of financial economics recognized by partner agencies working together; also preventative measures realizing financial advantages over present; i.e. incarceration, maintaining homelessness, etc.
Focus group with youth or with community members who have experienced the corrections system to provide their one-one-feedback on issues relevant to them
Numbers of volunteers addressing these issues; growth in number of organizations involved
Measurement of “calls for service” to the various agencies
Regular surveys of public’s “feelings” of safety; modeshare increases in bussing, walking, cycling; amount of people walking downtown / other neighbourhoods at night
Enhanced feeling of safety ; enhanced enjoyment of community areas