What the Community has to Say about Smart on Crime
As people hear and learn about Smart on Crime in Waterloo Region, they often have a few things to say. We’re happy to share what’s been said to us since it’s helpful to know and understand the perspective of others people from the community. If you have comments to share, feel free to add them below or email us.
“Smart on Crime is just what it sounds like. It’s having programs that work at the root causes of crime rather than using retribution and simplistic solutions. Smart on Crime is about using taxpayers money responsibly to make our communities safer. It fits into our Community Safety programs at Conestoga College which teach students to make evidence based decisions.”
Wayne Morris, WRCPC Member
Chair, Community Safety and Human Service Programs, Conestoga College
“The Correctional Service of Canada contributes to safer communities by addressing the factors that led to someone committing a crime. Most of our inmates will be released back into the community. Being “Smart on Crime” for us means we need to provide evidence based programs, education and training that will reduce those risks. Education and skills training make it more likely they can obtain employment. Other programs address substance abuse, anger and emotions issues and basic life skills. As a women’s institution, Grand Valley also provides programs, counselling and support for women who have been impacted by both physical and emotional trauma. While women at Grand Valley have already committed a crime, we can help them break that pattern and contribute to a safer community when they are released.”
David Dick, WRCPC Ex-Officio Member
Warden, Grand Valley Institution for Women, Correctional Service of Canada
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“Smart on Crime means investing at a neighbourhood and grassroots level before more costly interventions are required.” Bill Davidson, WRCPC Member Executive Director, |
“The staff of the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council couldn’t be more pleased about Smart on Crime in Waterloo Region. We are inspired, encouraged and excited. We feel fortunate to work within a context of strong local government, community and police collaboration guided by a shared vision. Smart on Crime in Waterloo Region will help us to build on the ‘made in Waterloo Region’ smart approach to crime prevention.”
Christiane Sadeler and the WRCPC Team
“The definition of “smart” is to show mental alertness and resourcefulness – so to be smart on crime means to to be mentally alert to the truth about crime, crime rates, and crime related issues and to be resourceful in the way in which we deal with crime. To be “resourceful” means to be creative in ones thinking and in the implementation of new and different approaches to an issue. At ROOF (Reaching our Outdoor Friends), we are smart on crime because we investigate the truth about crime and we challenge the myths that surround it (mental alertness). We are also smart on crime in terms of the way we ‘think outside the box’ (resourcefulness) regarding our programming – keeping it relevant and real for the youth we serve.”
Sandy Dietrich-Bell, WRCPC Member
Executive Director, ROOF
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is the wise old saying. How true that is when examining the costs of crime in our community. Investing in our citizens to address the root causes of crime is smart! Incarceration costs over $100,000 annually. If our programs keep even 5 people from entering the justice system, think of the benefits to our community!”