Concerns over abuse of green space, vandalism, and graffiti have emerged from the Central Alberta Crime Prevention Centre’s first two neighbourhood visits.
TerryLee Ropchan, executive director, said the Strengthen Social Capacity, Active Neighbourhods, Focus on Community Engagement, Effect Positive Change (S.A.F.E.) Program has been running smoothly.
So far this year the centre has spent a week in the West Park/West Lake and North Red Deer neighbourhoods. There’s plans to visit six in total. Next up is Mountview/Sunnybrook from July 7 to 11.
Ropchan said the identified concerns are specific to each area and overall there have been no big surprises.
They have also heard concerns about speeding and theft from vehicles.
“One of the pleasant pieces to all of this is that people are telling us that they love their neighbourhoods,” she said. “People are happy in their neighbourhoods. They are happy with their neighbours.”
About 40 people participated in West Park and about 120 in North Red Deer.
Ropchan said they are starting to work on the reports with recommendations for the first two communities. They will go out to the city, bylaw officers, police officers and whomever is a stakeholder. Follow-ups will be held in September.
Meanwhile the centre invites all Mountview and Sunnybrook residents to a barbecue and Community Conversation on July 8 to talk about all the things they like about their area, the changes they would like to see and any areas within their community they can identify as having issues or concerns.
The centre is looking for volunteers to deliver S.A.F.E. Flyers in the area and to help with the Community Clean and Graffiti abatement on July 10. For more information, visit ww.cacpc.ca or call 403-986-9904.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com