Where to start with what’s been going on with the Safety Portfolio? There is lots to share but I’ll kept it brief and to the point.
September: The data from the safety survey administered in June/July. From these results, the Safety Committee was able to identify and determine the main safety concerns of the HH/H residents. In addition, the safety survey comments were reviewed and used to create a summary outlining disorders, behaviors, and the locations or areas where these unwanted activities are occurring and the frequency of these issues. A meeting with the HH/BH Community Resource Officer, Constable Reinders, provided an opportunity to share the survey results and comments. She appreciated the information shared and will bring the survey results and comments forward to her inspector for the purpose of giving insight as to where operational resources could potentially be spent. Example: Lion’s Park c-train station.
October: Focused on reviewing the monthly Calgary Police statistical reports looking for trends and patterns. The crime stats are being compared to the previous years’ of 2021 and 2020. As well, we’re examining the crime stats of surrounding communities such as Banff Trail, Hillhurst, and West Hillhurst. However, we need to take into consideration that the population per capital in each community is not the same as the population in Hounsfield Heights/Briar Hill. This report is still being worked on.
November: Provided Safety Report at AGM. Met with Constable Reinders prior to AGM to discuss the community’s concerns and what information the Calgary Police Services could share with our residents at the meeting.
Worked in preparation for the December 1 meeting with the Honorable Ganley. The electronic and hardcopy 41-page package was sent/dropped off a week before the meeting with the MLA. The package included previous actions that the Safety Committee has taken over the last four years but focused on the Safety Committee’s actions within the last six months. Examples of the last six months of actions:
• Safety survey results. The Safety Committee’s six suggestions/recommendations on how to address the community’s safety concerns and who needs to participate. Example: City transit.
• Listed the numerous meetings with various agencies and organizations such as City Parks, CPS, the Ward 7 office, etc.
• Provided photographs demonstrating the locations to implement these suggested changes. Example: The c-train platform station shelters and green space along south side of c-train.
December: Had a meeting with Honorable Ganley on December 1.
January: The Ward 7 office coordinated a meeting with CPS, Calgary Homeless Foundation, and several of the directors and managers of the City, in what was described as an operational improvements meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and share what is being done to enhance the safety of the transit riders. Information outlining the current and future actions from each director and manager was exchanged. There were approximately nine participants, including two from the community, who attended the 45-minute meeting. I made the request to Councilor Terry Wong to share with the other participants the MLA package that I created. The intention of sharing the MLA package is to inform and update the various representatives for the various city business units, City Transit, etc. Perhaps if these other representatives are aware of what the Safety Committee has been working on and what our specific suggestions would be to address the HH/BH safety concerns, we might move faster towards achieving more sustainable outcomes.
At the meeting, when it was my turn to speak, I expressed that though I appreciate and understand how safety is impacting all Calgarians in some form or another, my purpose and role/responsibility is to represent the HH/BB community and the concerns of our residents. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of a more meaningful dialogue between the community and the other agencies. A thank-you to Terry Wong and the Ward 7 office for taking the time to spearhead and initiate this much needed dialogue.
Regards,
Michelle LeGrandeur
HH/BH Safety Committee Director
