Keeping people safe & well

 

Presentation to Community Safety Roundtable

Organised by Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police

 

NCLB Project Coordinator and partner police officer made a presentation on the No Community Left Behind Initiative to the Coalition on Community Safety, Health and Well-being on February 22, 2006. A summary of the main point covered in the presentation are as follows:  

Situation from Ottawa Police Services’ perspective:

• This committee selected Ledbury/Banff for the initial project

• It is a multicultural, low income family housing complex

• It is plagued with drug, gangs and violence. It has been stigmatized by media coverage

• Other issues affecting this community are the lack of trust and communication with the police.

• A community survey identified safety as the priority OPS deemed an investment in this initiative a unique opportunity, although we opted to implement this initiative to three other similar communities in the South East Ottawa district.

Things that worked out: 

• Implementation Cycle: gradually unfolding the way it was initially thought.

• Community participation: positive and meaningful beyond our expectation due to the social mobilisation activities identified by the community.

• Cooperation of Partners: Organizations and agencies are keen on supporting relevant aspects of the initiative.

• Ottawa Police Services' new approach towards building trust relationship and communication channels with the community. This is the result of interest at the top level and commitment of the frontline officers. 

Where things not worked out as hoped (OPS perspective):

• No issues and problems arising with the communities were unexpected and the project is following its course

• Ottawa Police Services in house, and not restricted to Ottawa:   

- policies and politics require more flexibility

- there is a need for mainstreaming the new approach

- information sharing between sections will make the initiative more effective

• We see a need for this holistic approach where the sharing and partnership could be brought in house    

How is the community partnering with the local police:

The framework was in place and the partners already at the table with an established credibility. Therefore just entering this work group provided OPS a niche to begin on a positive note:

• Communities were initially skeptical (police are normally in and out). This is a long term commitment.

• A positive exchange was made possible with the support of this work group. The communities are willing to work with us.

• In order to maintain the support and credibility, we need to follow through with action and make it a long term investment.

Lessons learned regarding sustainable social development (SSD): 

• SSD need consistent programs and committed partners. Inconsistent interventions make communities lose trust and as a result push them into isolation.

• Collaborative approach makes interventions more effective than working in isolation. This is not something unknown. The need is to somehow make this collaboration happen.

• Potential is there. Community is willing to participate and cooperate. The need is to touch the right cord and that begins with building their confidence, backed up by consistency and sustained action to keep the community motivated and development process intact.

 

© 2005-08 South-East Ottawa Community Health Centre
Centre de Sante Communautaire du Sud Est D'Ottawa

Contact: Abid Jan Tel./ Tél: (613) 737-5115  Fax/Télé: (613) 739-8199

NCLB matters because neighbourhoods matter