COMMUNITY SAFETY FORUM FOLLOW-UP – MAKING SURE WE’RE READY FOR THE SUMMER - February 17, 2006

Most of us welcome summer – with one exception. It is a safe bet that as soon as summer comes problems with vandalism and noise in parks will increase.

When the temperature drops in late Fall so does damage to public and private property and the number of public disturbances recorded. This happens every year. As the weather gets warmer and school lets-out for Summer we need to be prepared to deal with problems.

In late October, I organized a Community Safety Forum that was held at A.Y. Jackson Secondary School in Glen Cairn. It was in response to a number of incidents of destructive behaviour that upset the community last year as well as ongoing concerns about speeding and drivers failing to look out for other drivers or pedestrians. The forum was a first step in bringing residents together with police, city staff, and community partners like Neighbourhood Watch, the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre, and the Kanata Community Safety Partnership, in order to deal with issues like vandalism, traffic safety, and the allocation of police resources in our community.

Because this topic is so important to our community, I was worried that by doing an immediate follow-up during a period in November or December when issues like pesticides, garbage collection, the 2006 City Budget, concerns with snow removal and the federal election were being discussed, it would have meant that important information would not get to as many people. For this reason, I want to bring some issues to people’s attention now.

For the Community Safety Forum Report, please go to www.feltmateforkanata.com and click on the button “Community Safety Forum Report.”

Among the suggestions that were made were recruiting more people for Neighbourhood Watch, particularly near parks, more police/by-law sweeps through parks, and the need for measures to improve traffic safety in malls, particularly the Centrum.

NEW 3-1-1 SERVICE MEANS A FAST AND EASY WAY TO CONTACT BY-LAW SERVICES

One problem participants in the Community Safety Forum identified is that people often don’t know who to call when there are problems.

Whether it’s noise problems or simply loitering past 11:00 pm in city parks, By-law Officers are equipped to deal with by-law violations, leaving the Ottawa Police Service free to respond to other types of emergency situations. By-law Services can be reached by phoning 3-1-1. This new quick and easy to remember City Service Line replaces the old 580-2400.

In 2004, the city’s By-law Services Branch received only 30 calls for service related to park activity, and in 2005, it wasn’t much better. This tells us that information about how to report youth-related problems in parks is not getting to nearly enough people.

For response to life threatening emergencies or crimes in-progress, phone 911. For other emergencies call 230-6211. The police non-emergency line is 236-1222.

VOLUNTEERS WHO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER

Kanata has a long history of volunteer involvement. The community partners who work with Police to help keep our community safe are no exception. I have been hearing from people that they want to get involved in their communities, but don’t know how.

Find out more about Neighbourhood Watch and how to get involved by visiting the website below, or by phoning 236-1222 ext 2005. http://www.atkanata.com/KNW/home.htm

OPTION TO CREATE FOUR NEW POLICE PATROL ZONES COULD MEAN BETTER COVERAGE FOR WEST DISTRICT RESIDENTS

On February 25, 2006, the Ottawa Police Service will hold a Public Consultation to provide information to Ottawa residents about a proposal to create four additional police patrol zones. Residents are invited to participate on Saturday, February 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.. The consultation will be held at Ottawa City Hall at 110 Laurier Avenue West.

I know it is a nuisance for people to get downtown on a weekend. For that reason, I have asked staff to look at holding a consultation in the west end.

WORKING FULL-TIME FOR KANATA

I appreciate the chance to hear from you about issues affecting our community. You can reach me at 580-2474 (office), 580-2514 (fax), or peggy.feltmate@ottawa.ca