Keeping people safe & well

 

Minutes of the Steering Committee Meeting

3rd meeting

 

October 25, 2005, 1:00 – 03:00 pm
Banff Community House  

Present:                               

Co-Coordinator, Russell Heights Community House
Vice President, Community Services, United Way
Superintendent Ottawa Police Services, Ottawa East
Constable, Ottawa Police Services
Director Banff Avenue Community House
Manager, Community Services SEOCHC
Project Coordinator, No Community Left Behind SEOCHC
Health Promoter for Youth, SEOCHC
Board Member SEOCHC
Representatives (2) from City of Ottawa Parks and Recreation
Community Developer, OCH
Business representative Osgoode Vet nary Clinic
Representative from Youth Services Bureau
Community members (4)

Regrets:               

South Ottawa Community Legal Clinic
Representative from Youth Services Bureau
Representative from Councilor Maria McRae’s Office
Representative of Fairlea Community Association
Representative, Ottawa Boys and Girls Club
President Tenants Association                                  

1.      OPENING AND INTRODUCTION

James Williams welcomed the participants. After a round of introduction, he briefed the new participants about the No Community Left Behind Project and the role of the Steering Committee.

2.      APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Approved as circulated.

3.      APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF  SEPTEMBER 20, 2005

Approved as circulated.

4.      MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING: 

Membership
Catherine Dubois informed the Committee about the follow up with potential partners who were unable to attend the previous meeting. Councillor Maria McRae couldn’t join the previous meetings due to some miscommunication. A representative from Councillor McRae’s will be attending future meetings.

Project Update

Project update was based on two main issues:

1.       Problem areas in the community.
2.       Inventory of partners, programs and resources

1. Committee members were presented with a graphic sketch of the community showing locations identified by residents that are used for illegal activities. The environment in these locations facilitates drug abuse and trade. One of the potential trouble spots is the narrow alleyway behind the residential units and high-rise on Bank Street, that provides cover and easy escape from police, and is isolated from the rest of the community space. The second location is comprised of bushes and trees on the NCC land underneath the power lines towards East of Banff Avenue. This is relatively small but popular place for the local youth to engage in illegal activities. 

Superintendent Charles Bordeleau told the Committee that he would request a police services’ environmental assessment of the Banff and Ledbury community. Findings from this assessment will direct the Steering Committee in determining action for improvements to the physical environment and curb criminal activities in the neighbourhood. 

2. Responding to a request form the Steering Committee for a detailed inventory of partners, programs and resources in the Banff Community, this inventory was prepared and distributed to the Committee members. It gives an overview of the ongoing programs in the community, lead agencies, partners, number of participants in each program and staff responsible. A Follow-up request was made to organize this information according to age groups served.  

Partner’s Reports 

Ottawa Police Services

Superintendent Charles Bordeleau shared detailed inventory of programs offered by the Ottawa Police Services. He elaborated the six core crime prevention programmes offered through the community police services - Business Watch, Neighbourhood Watch, Auto Dialer, Child Print, Operation Identification and Home Security Inspections. 

Superintendent Charles also announced an important initiative – the assignment of two officers to work full time with the Banff Ledbury, Heatherington and Russell Road communities.  This initiative is the result of OPS concern about escalating violence, drug use, gang presence, the fear of reporting crime and the lack of trust in police in this community.

The newly assigned officers will not replace Community Police Centre officers, the regular patrol officers or Youth Intervention Coordinator. Their work will enhance the existing OPS programs and services in these communities, establishing solid relationships with these communities through informal meetings with residents to discuss and problem solve community issues requiring police intervention.   

Superintendent Charles added these officers will be the point of contact for the community.  He underlined the need for building trust and close relationships with the community.  

This announcement was met with great appreciation by the Steering Committee, acknowledging the complex and numerous competing needs brought to OPS for action.   

Ottawa Community Housing

Florence Brake shared information about the new security system introduced by OCH, designed to provide the community with quick and effective security services. Kelli Tonner suggested that sharing information about of the roles, responsibilities, scope of service and authority of the new OCH Security Officers will help the community and other stakeholders to understand and access the new security system. A joint meeting of police and security officers was also proposed as early after the system is in place as possible. 

Activity Plan

Activity Plan was the major focus of discussion. Abid Jan shared the detailed activity plan, covering the four main components of the project - Social Mobilisation; Prevention and Empowerment; Neighbourhood Restoration and Law Enforcement. (Activities for these components were identified and approved in the previous Steering Committee meetings) Feasibility and roles and responsibility of the concerned partners were discussed and finalised. The Activity Plan was approved by the Committee with the following recommendations and decisions: 

1. Banff Community House is presently providing the community with opportunity to increase well being and socialization once a week in the form of a women’s fitness class. Project funding will be accessed to increase the frequency of this activity to two evenings per week. The activity will currently take place at Banff Community House. Matt Perkins’ offer of space at Jim Durrell facility still stands, if the number of participants requires a larger space.
2. The Tenants Association will regularly meet every first Saturday of the month at 5:00 pm. All tenants, service providers and partners are welcome. The TA will send its work plan to Ottawa Community Housing for approval of TA funding.
3. Mohamoud Abdulle will recruit a qualified tutor for the after school tutoring of youth ages 13 and older. Sylvie Manser will provide space and supervision. SEOCHC provide the budget. In the event that this homework support is required two nights a week Eileen Dooley recommended a proposal to United Way for possible matched funding.
4. Mohamoud Abdulle will coordinate activities with Youth Council and make sure that younger youth are engaged through mentoring opportunities with older youth, and other activities as per the activity plan.
5. It was recommended to involve the Tenants’ Association in the proposed Youth Survey, to identify the specific concerns of youth in the community.
6. Following up on suggestion that a video be created to communicate positive messages about the youth in this neighbourhood, was suggested that Mohamoud Abdulle facilitate the Youth Council’s success in this endeavour by connecting with Carleton School of Journalism.
7. A Community Dinner activity was proposed, with the scheduled participation of partner organizations who would use these occasions to share information, listen to community concerns, and contribute to community mobilization strategies. The dinners will be organized every Wednesday night. Cost for meal planning and preparation will be expensed to the project. A schedule of themes will be prepared, to give partners advance notice of their participation.

 

Next Steps – Other:

·         A Schedule of Activities will be prepared on the basis of the approved work plan and shared with all partners and Committee members. (Abid Jan)

·         Flyers detailing project activities will be prepared and shared with the community for wider dissemination of information with the community. (Abid Jan)

·         Ottawa Police Services will share the report of the environmental assessment of Banff and Ledbury community as and when it becomes available. (Ottawa Police Services)

·         A population-wise breakdown of the inventory of services will be prepared and shared with the service providers. (Abid Jan)

·         OCH will share information about roles and responsibilities of the new OCH Security Officers (Florence Brake)

 

Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 06, 2005  
1 p.m.
Location: Banff Community House

 

© 2005-15 South - East Ottawa Community Health Centre
Centre de Sante Communautaire du Sud Est D'Ottawa

Contact: Abid Jan Tel./ Tél: (613) 737-5115 Ext. 2403  Fax/Télé: (613) 739-8199

NCLB matters because neighbourhoods matter