As a Friend of Crime Prevention, I believe that the heart of crime prevention is through social and community development…..
As an educator, I was used to being at the front of a group of students or a group of fellow educators. Now being retired, my role as changed, I am continuing on my learning journey, but now as a student or fellow participant in the learning. My learning now is focused on developing a new understanding of community and what needs to be done to build a community of belonging for all residents of the Region of Waterloo.
As a Friend of Crime Prevention, I attended on the morning of February 8th, “What Community Means, a Waterloo Region Community Gathering” at K-W YWCA Mary’s Place Community Room, in downtown Kitchener. This event was led by the New Story Group, the Kitchener-Waterloo Social Planning Council, the Festival of Neighbourhood’s, the Multicultural Cinema Club and the Abrahamic Peace Builders.
The keynote speaker was Derek Alton, of the 1000 Conversations project. 1000 Conversations is a project of Tamarack, a charity that develops and supports learning communities that help people to collaborate, co-generate knowledge and achieve collective impact on complex community issues. The deep hope of Tamarack is to end poverty in Canada.
The pilot phase of the 1000 Conversation campaign started in Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, Halton and Hamilton, and the second phase Tamarack is looking to partner with 10 new local hosts across Canada who are interested in bringing this campaign to their communities.
Some of my key learnings from this Community Gathering dealt with:
How technology is changing how we approach community
The shifting expectations of Community – how the experience of seniors and youth compare
The Dark Sides of Community
The discussion on “The Dark Sides of Community” for me was especially enlightening, as I have been focusing much of my efforts with the inclusion work of the City of Kitchener Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee on building bridges to inclusion in our community. The “Dark Sides of Community” refers to the feeling of individuals being left out of their community because “they did not fit the mold” or that they could not be their “true selves”, so because of this, community can be experienced as a very judgemental and exclusive place for some. But, clear boundaries can preserve the integrity of a group, so no community can be all things for all people. The key learning here is that community is complicated and messy, and that it is important to not ignore this but rather to seek to understand it.
My view of community is evolving, in my previous blog post, I talked about the New Story Group and their efforts to write a new story about belonging and community. Community for me is many things. For thirty years as an educator my community was very focused on my work and family. Now that I am retired I have been expanding my horizons. My work community is still part of my world, but not the main part. Community is many things, my family, my poker group, my circle of friends, the people at the various places and organizations that I am now volunteering at. Community can be anywhere, and can involve anyone, the only thing is some connection. Connections, the web that builds is what links community together for me. I am amazed at the connections that I see when I do something in my community. It is by leveraging these connections that we can work together to improve our community and make it a place where everyone feels that they belong.
I do believe that many small actions will add up to a large action on the road to building a community of belonging. It can be as simple as acknowledging the presence of a homeless person in downtown Kitchener, they are part of our community, a friendly smile goes a long way in making a person feel like they belong. In less than two months since my last blog post, I have become a member at large on the Forest Heights Community Association Board of Directors, with the desire to continue writing a new story of belonging in my community.
I challenge you to do something to make our community a community of belonging, smile at a stranger, volunteer somewhere in your community, it will make a difference, it will connect you!
Author: Doug McKlusky was born in Ottawa but is a long time resident of Waterloo Region including his university days. Doug recently retired from 30 years with the Waterloo Region District School Board. Doug was co-chair of the inREACH Street Gang Prevention Project until it closed in December 2013. But in his newly retired days, time has very quickly filled with important work such as Out of the Cold, Nutrition for Learning, Forest Heights Community Association and the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee for the City of Kitchener. And, wisely, Doug connects all his work to being an all-around ambassador for Friends of Crime Prevention – it really is about connection.
Doug McKlusky‘s writing reflects his own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views or official positions of the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council.
The Friends of Crime Prevention network is a space for active members of the community to come together and discuss their ideas of crime prevention. The network aims to bridge individuals and organizations in the common goal of increasing social justice and action for a safe community in which we all live.
This may look great on paper but we really have to ask ourselves: Do these network meetings actually make a difference? Do people really contact one-to-one outside of the meeting rooms? Can talking actually make a difference? Is it more than just the free food, drinks, and give-aways!?
I have personally had the pleasure of becoming part of this network of proactive individuals and it has opened up a new world of action and community engagement! These meetings helped my career, allowed me to form a stronger professional network, and brought a number of important issues to my attention. Here is how I became involved as a Friend of Crime Prevention:
Student attends the Wilfrid Laurier Masters of Social Work program
Student meets professor
Professor recommends Friends of Crime Prevention meeting
Student attends meeting and mentions interest in preventing sexual violence
Student and facilitator host MAASV seminar at Laurier Faculty of Social Work
Student begins to attend MAASV meetings
Student receives placement with the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council
Student writes quiz for intimate partner violence (IPV), among many other worthwhile projects
Student invited to IPV meeting at Conestoga College
Student forms network with college and MAASV
Student’s resume is very happy
Student writes about his path to becoming a Friend.
Reader reads in astonishment and attends next Friends of Crime Prevention meeting!
Are you a Friend of Crime Prevention? Do you have a story to tell about how you got involved in crime prevention through social development? Add your story in the comments below.
Author: Ryan Maharaj, MSW Student with WRCPC. Ryan recently moved to Waterloo in pursuit of his Masters in Social Work at Laurier University. Placed at the Crime Prevention Council, he has been given the opportunity to explore the role of male allies in the movement against sexual and intimate partner violence. He firmly believes that with respect, support, compassion, and education we can prevent the occurrences of sexual violence in the next generation.
Who knew I’d be joining the Friends of Crime Prevention in my retirement years? Well, it has to be destiny, no one could have told me this would be in my plans, but what a blessing.
Let me back it up a bit for you, to Nov. 3, 2011 when my son Daniel, then 28, went missing. Once we learned where his vehicle was found (Temagami backcountry, Red Squirrel Road), we at least know where he potentially was and that there was no evidence of foul play or crime. But, the need to file a local missing persons report and then have another police force take over the search (OPP, Temiskaming), we were confronted with a lot of new learning about police procedures and, most importantly, about the gap in support services for families with missing loved ones, particularly when there is no evidence of crime.
Daniel is still missing today.
Fast forward to December 2013 when I joined Friends of Crime Prevention. In an effort to find meaning in the uncertainty of my son missing for over 2 years, I reached out to agencies in our community to try and get a network started to help support families like mine. Having known Christine Sadeler at the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council when I worked at the Region of Waterloo and knew about their close workings with the community, I reached out to her to share my need. I wanted to spread the message about missing persons so we could create a network that would to help raise awareness and fill a gap I see in our community.
I attended the Friends of Crime Prevention event on January. 9, 2014 and was pleased with the number of representatives from the community, as board members, professionals and friends. This reinforced that my decision to become a Friend of Crime Prevention was indeed a good one. Not only was it informative, but it gave me a much better sense of the diversity of the group and the many facets of crime prevention from a community perspective. A bonus was getting a tour of the new WRPS North Division Station, where the meeting was held.
My hope is that not only do I have the opportunity to become part of a group with many facets of crime prevention as their objective, but also to get others engaged in making it a better place for those who may be impacted by a missing loved one. I thank Friends of Crime Prevention for giving our community this opportunity to participate and play as active a role as we can give.
In an effort to do my part as a Friend of Crime Prevention and raising awareness about what it’s like for families with missing loved ones, I want to point you toward a very timely media series in the Waterloo Region Record. Anyone who feels they can help play a role in providing support services for the families with missing loved ones, please contact me, Maureen Trask.
Media Series: MISSING in Waterloo Region
In collaboration with Waterloo Regional Police Service and the Waterloo Region Record, families with missing loved ones are currently sharing their stories, challenges and issues. Greg Mercer is the reporter writing this series and is supported by Richard Dorling from WRPS who is working with the missing cases and the families concerned. We are very grateful for their amazing support and assistance.
Check the Saturday paper or online for ‘MISSING’ articles, giving a better awareness and understanding of what it’s like for families with a missing loved one.
As a Friend of Crime Prevention, I believe that that the heart of crime prevention is through social and community development…..
Imagine neighbourhoods where everyone feels a sense of belonging, where inclusion trumps fear.
Imagine workplaces where people belong, and where respect and collaboration trump power and politics.
Imagine schools where belonging trumps bullying and streaming.
Discover, what it means to belong in a diverse community,
Imagine an ideal future where all citizens experience a sense of belonging,
Create momentum that moves us toward this ideal future
Sustain communities of belonging through leadership and innovation
John Lord, the founder of the grass-roots organization, The New Story Group of Waterloo Region, was the keynote speaker on October 15th. The New Story Group is dedicated to building inclusive communities where every community member has an opportunity to experience belonging. Our current story has:
Seniors living alone and very isolated
People with mental health issues being lonely and having few friends
New Canadians needing support to enhance their sense of belonging
In his keynote address John Lord outlined some of the fundamentals that must exist before people can experience a sense of community belonging:
Presence –this is a simple as showing up, but we have to make it easy for people to show up!
Participation – if we make it easy to be present participation becomes easier
Relationships – as humans we have a strong need for affiliation and relatedness
Building a Community of Belonging is strength-based work. We need to build on the assets of individuals, neighbourhoods, and the wider community. There are four key elements of Leadership and Belonging:
Intentionality – communities and individuals must be intentional about belonging.
Belonging Lens – use a belonging lens to guide policy
Connections – identify bridges to enhance belonging
Judgement Free Places – people need to be able to enter community spaces and not feel that they are being judged.
The passion and commitment to write a new story was evident amongst the participants. Inspiring speakers, such as Brandon Spunar, of the Connection Project, and founder of Our Common Ground, spoke of his efforts to connect people in our community, to build bridges to inclusion by connecting people with common interests with each other.
The challenge was given to participants to do something, a small thing that would contribute to making their neighbourhood a more welcoming place, something that would contribute to belonging, to do something to help write the new story. Participants committed to doing this and sharing by March with their groups what they have done. Individually they committed to start writing the new story.
Personally I have committed to three actions that will foster community belonging;
one within my own Forest Heights community,
one within the City of Kitchener, and,
the last one that has an impact across the Region of Waterloo.
As a Friend of Crime Prevention, I believe that the heart of crime prevention is social and community development, so I challenge you to become involved, do something to make our region one of belonging, be part of the writing of the New Story of Belonging.
Author: Doug McKlusky was born in Ottawa but is a long time resident of Waterloo Region including his university days. Doug recently retired from 30 years with the Waterloo Region District School Board. Doug was co-chair of the inREACH Street Gang Prevention Project until it closed in December 2013. But his newly retired days, time has very quickly filled with important work such as Out of the Cold, Nutrition for Learning and the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee for the City of Kitchener. And, wisely, Doug connects all his work to being an all-around ambassador for Friends of Crime Prevention – it really is about connection.
Doug McKlusky‘s writing reflects his own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views or official positions of the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council.
To usher in 2014, WRCPC hosted a learning event on ‘Neighbourhood Policing’. Naturally, Friends of Crime Prevention & WRCPC have a common interest with the police on all things related to crime prevention, community safety and well-being. Inspector Kevin Thaler from the Waterloo Regional Police Service was our guest to unveil the recent sweeping changes to their organizational structure, daily operations and dispatch methods. The results are what is now known as Neighbourhood Policing. You can find Inspector Thaler’s speaking notes here.
Inspector Thaler covered:
the shift from traditional reactive policing to proactive, responsive policing that took well over 5 years to implement
how WRPS used police data and research to reorganize and realign their policing operation and strategies to a neighbourhood policing model
how the shift to neighbourhood policing allows police officers to have more time for connecting with people in neighbourhoods and communities
the implementation of the new ‘Online Crime Reporting System’
new opportunities for patrol officers to have a more engaged and lasting relationship with regional elementary and high schools
It wouldn’t be a Friends of Crime Prevention event without a good discussion. There were a number of insightful and important questions for discussion but we’d like to highlight these four as food for thought and your further comment.
Q. How can the WRPS and Crime Prevention Council establish relationships with school representatives, staff, parents, and young children, when officers are frequently changing and there has been no routine presence of individual officers?
With this new model of an estimated 40% downtime officers are given the opportunity to align with schools if they are willing to accept the long-term responsibility and if they have a direct interest in working with the schools. By allowing officers to make the decision only those who have the motivation and interest will take on the role with all of its responsibilities. The increase in downtime will also allow for more opportunities to meet with the school and the individuals within.
Q. This new dispatching method increases police presence in areas that have higher crime occurrence rates (see www.wrps.on.ca under the ‘Maps’ tab). When does police presence become harmful and insight fear?
While WRPS is currently doing research on the costs/benefits of higher police presence, officers are combating this issue by attempting to foster better relationships with the citizens in these particular communities. Rather than simply cruising or patrolling in these communities, officers are stopping to talk about more than just crime reduction. Educating and being educated, informing and being informed are all major aspects of an officer’s role.
Q. What has been the response to the new online reporting program?
Growing numbers of anecdotal evidence supporting online reporting and marketing strategies are being used to bring the online reporting system to the attention of the general populace. The program offers citizens an opportunity to report minor crimes without having to call 911 numbers. This helps officers track and manage minor crimes while reducing the overall number of line calls.
Q. Only 17% all 911 calls are for dangerous and immediately threatening crimes (as defined on the WRPS website under the ‘Staying Safe’ tab). Therefore 83% are for peacekeeping, social disorder related issues which could be dealt with by either the non-emergency line 519- 653-7700 or online reporting. How can we help the general public become more educated in regards to how to contact the police and defuse this 83% to more effective means of reporting?
This question was brought up at the end of the discussion time and prompted a great deal of input for the fact that a large number of police resources go into dealing with things that don’t need police response or intervention.
What do you think? What changes would you suggest to ensure that police are able to focus on what matters most, in an efficient manner? Share your suggestions in the comments below or join the WRCPC meeting on March 21 where we will have a follow up discussion on the future of policing. We would love to hear your thoughts!
Summary by Ryan Maharaj, MSW Student with WRCPC. Ryan recently moved to Waterloo in pursuit of his Masters in Social Work at Laurier University. Placed at the Crime Prevention Council, he has been given the opportunity to explore the role of male allies in the movement against sexual and intimate partner violence. He firmly believes that with respect, support, compassion, and education we can prevent the occurrences of sexual violence in the next generation.
I stood at the gate in the large fence waiting for someone to notice me. “How can I help you?” came the voice over the intercom. “My name is Andrew Jackson. I’m from the Accelerator Centre and I’m here to run the Entrepreneur Session.” I replied. The gate buzzed and I walked through the gate, went up the path and entered the building. I handed over my identification, signed in and then passed through a metal detector. Five minutes later I stood at the front of a classroom with 25 women waiting for me to start talking. “Good morning” I said. “Good morning.” came the reply from the women of Grand Valley Institution for Women (GVI).
This past Saturday was the third year I have gone to Grand Valley Institution as a representative of the Accelerator Centre in order to deliver four 2-hour sessions over two weekends to the women. It has quickly become a highlight of the year for me and the numerous volunteers that help teach the course.
The Accelerator Centre is a business incubator for tech companies where we are paid to provide facilities and programming in order to help start-up companies speed up the process of becoming large, sustainable, revenue generating entities. So the inevitable question is “Why do you go to Grand Valley?” The short answer is: “because the women let us.”
Three years ago Jessica Hutchison, a hard-working and passionate person from the Region of Waterloo, approached the Accelerator Centre to see if we would be interested in presenting an entrepreneurial course to the women at GVI. After some internal discussions we agreed we would do it.
Our first chore was to figure out what the content of the sessions would be. We have done presentations numerous times before on why people should become entrepreneurs and the skills and knowledge they need to do so. It was very important to us that we didn’t simplify our sessions for the women but instead we tailored the information to make it appropriate for women who would be looking to form their own company when they left GVI or would be looking to set themselves up for employment after some tough times.
The next thing to do was figure out who would come with us to present the material. Again, it was important to us to bring the same top-notch, experienced people that we would use for any of our presentations. We are very lucky to have CEOs and upper management level people volunteer their weekend time and join us at Grand Valley. As I tell the women, we bring the best available people because we believe they deserve the best available people.
The first year we attended GVI we had 12 women attend the course. The last two years we have had 24 and 25 women, respectively, attend. The women are respectful and polite and ready to learn. None of them have to be there but they choose to be and that means a lot to us.
It is our hope that we are providing the women of Grand Valley Institution with some knowledge that will empower them upon their release. We know that they are in GVI for a variety of reasons and the courts have decided they warranted some form of punishment. But we also know that when they are released from prison they deserve every opportunity to reintegrate into their communities in a positive way. I look forward to the day that I can enter a business that is owned by one of the women that attended our Entrepreneur Sessions.
What impact has this experience had on me personally? Well, this past Friday I had the opportunity to talk to the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council about our involvement with the Grand Valley Institution. I am proud to let everybody know about the awesome feeling I get when I see the smiling faces on the women as we shake their hands and give them a certificate of completion for our course.
I had to stop talking three times to choke back my tears. But please keep that part quiet.
Author: As Vice President, Client Services, Andrew Jackson leads the educational curriculum for Clients at the Accelerator Centre. In addition, Andrew manages the celebrated in-house mentorship program, an essential component of the Accelerator Program. As clients seek to grow their business knowledge and develop essential skills, Andrew connects them with the resources necessary for their business to achieve long term success.
Being a leader doesn’t necessarily mean being at the front of a rally with a megaphone. There are many components to leadership. It’s important, especially for the guys reading this, to remember that we are all leaders, whether to our brothers and sisters, our partners, our friends, or to our sons and daughters.
The sexism, misogyny, transphobia and homophobia found in the media and in our everyday interactions can be overwhelming and confronting these issues can make us feel vulnerable or powerless. At the same time, many men (and women) do not know how to confront these issues in their own lives. Unfortunately, this means that a lot of us remain silent. However, when we remain silent about violence against women we are perpetuating a rape culture – whether we intend to or not.
What does rape culture mean?
Rape culture is a term used to describe a society wherein sexual violence is normalized through behaviours, attitudes and practices that tolerate rape. Okay… what does that mean? Rape is not the only action that perpetuates rape. How we act and what we say go a long way in telling those around us what is acceptable. For example, if we laugh or remain silent when a rape joke is told by one of our co-workers while we are not condoning the behaviour described in the joke – we are allowing the attitude expressed by the person who told the joke to remain unchallenged and spread.
While sexist and misogynistic attitudes may not physically harm women we know that language structures our thoughts and behaviours. The more prevalent these attitudes become, the more they are internalized by men and used as justification for their treatment of women. Admittedly, the intent of jokes that dehumanize women is generally not to encourage men to physically harm women. However, the impact of rape jokes is the creation of a rape culture that tells the men listening that their behaviours and attitudes towards women are acceptable.
Undoubtedly, this is a societal issue — but it also needs to be addressed individually. I want to encourage men to become accountable in their own lives and understand that they can make a difference simply by working to be the best version of themselves that they can be. One way we can do this is by leading with lollipops:
To end, I would like to say that while men need to become more active, we must continue to be accountable to women and women’s organizations such as the Sexual Assault Support Centre Waterloo Region (sascwr.org) who have been doing this work for decades and who make the work we do possible. Men who become involved in ending violence against women are often romanticized while the work of women goes ignored or unnoticed. As such, it is important to remember that while the dominant construction of masculinity may not work for all men – patriarchy does.
Author: Stephen Soucie is a MAASV Public Education Facilitator for the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region. Currently, he is a Masters student in the Critical Sociology program at Brock University. His research areas include: violence against women, men and masculinities, masculinity and sport, and engaging men in anti-violence activism.
Posted on: January 18th, 2013 by Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council
At a recent event to launch the Friends of Crime Prevention network, we were so fortunate to have Alan Quarry, of Quarry Communications, as our guest. Since we’re all about positive social change, we asked Alan to wax poetic on the power of networks, like Friends of Crime Prevention, to advance social change. Anyone looking for tips on the latest tools, apps and gadgets to use might have been disappointed by Alan’s talk… because really, it’s all about relationships, not the technology, which we already knew. Right?
Creating change that lasts happens in relationships, from one person to another, and these days, often facilitated with the power of social media. Here are Alan’s 7 best thoughts on the principles for engaging people in change.
“We build too many walls and not enough bridges”. Isaac Newton Plain and simple…. Walls separate people; Bridges bring people together. Networks can only be successful if they are built on the principles of a good bridge:
– bridges are intended to facilitate two-way interaction and communication, comings-and-goings and flow of pedestrians and traffic; they connect physical spaces to each other across seemingly uncrossable barriers like water, chasms and gorges
– bridges are (typically) not controlled by one side or the other
– bridges do not have trolls! or at least, they shouldn’t!
– bridges are intended to be multipurpose and can accomplish a great diversity all at once
– bridges need care and maintenance in order to last for a long time
– bridges inspire people and we are naturally drawn to them to admire; while many bridges are utilitarian in nature, many more are grand and quite beautiful to look at
– bridges can often connect very different worlds and be an entrance into exploring a very new and different place
– bridges can act as ‘neutral territory’, which can be a very good thing at time! Having said all that…. bridges can be uncomfortable places for people with a fear of high places. It can take work for some people to engage in these spaces – be patient with them! But if there is a compelling reason for them to be there… they will.
Networking is not about hunting. It is about farming. It’s about cultivating relationships.
Networking is a key component of building any network, not just Friends of Crime Prevention. But how to engage people who are interested in sticking with the network for the long haul? It’s about building genuine relationships with everyday people. It’s not about head-hunting big names or seemingly important people. Some relationships take longer to develop than others, but guaranteed, an investment in a solid relationship with someone will build stronger connections and commitment to your network.
Build it, and they won’t come Enough said. You can build a bridge, or a network…. but that doesn’t mean everyone will want to take part or use it… especially if it’s poorly designed and built! It’s important to put careful thought, planning and resources into whatever you design. And opportunities to improve it are always there!!
Focus on how to ‘be’ social not how to ‘do’ social
Many attempt to engage people can ring false when there is a lack of authenticity in the engagement. You can ‘do’ all the right things when it comes to social and community engagement but if your online & in-real-life personality don’t match – people can become quickly disengaged. Sharing good content – relevant, personal and recent – with the right people, at the right time, shows you understand the important of connecting in the right way.
You have to make an effort to connect with people. It’s not called ‘net’sitting. Work at it.
Yes. And yes. It’s not enough to have online profiles everywhere and attend every community event possible if you don’t actually engage with people. Just because there’s a Facebook page and a Twitter account doesn’t mean people will flock to you in droves. Work at making connections that make sense. Avoid the flailing arm approach to engagement.
Social media is high touch, not high tech
Like the construction of this bridge, there is some technical thought that goes in to building a network like the Friends of Crime Prevention, and effectively using social media to help it grow. The real success of the bridge in the photo is whether or not people come to gather there when the vendors fill the shops on the sides of the bridge – the high touch part of the equation. We can’t expect technology alone to sustain relationships. We’ve got to do that part in person.
“Be positive – care, share and be friendly”
According to Alan, this statement is also the Quarry Family motto. But it sure applies to something like advancing the ‘Friends of Crime Prevention’ network. Really, who flocks to be part of something negative, territorial, selfish and unfriendly? I just don’t think it would work for something called ‘Friends of Crime Prevention’!
Truly, Alan’s presentation for the Friends of Crime Prevention event got people talking and primed to help grow the network. People talked about actions they could take as individuals and organizations to help advance the work of crime prevention through social development in their own workplaces, homes, schools, families and neighbourhoods. Ideas are percolating. Discussions are happening. Links are circulating. Tweets are tweeting. Phones are ringing. In all, I’d say, a pretty good ROI for the day.
Return on Interaction, that is.
Thanks Alan Quarry!
What were the stand out ideas you learned from Alan at this event? Is Friends of Crime Prevention on the right track? Love to hear your thoughts – leave a comment!
Posted on: December 21st, 2012 by Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council
At this time of year almost every time we turn the on the TV we see a film based on the season. My favourite is “It’s a Wonderful Life”. I’m sure you know it.
It’s a Christmas classic about a small-town guy (George Bailey, played by James Stewart) who falls into some financial difficulty on Christmas Eve through no fault of his own. His partner in his Building and Loan Association and Uncle, Billy, has lost his deposit on the same day the bank examiner is coming to inspect their books. Without the deposit they will be in serious legal trouble. His competitor, Mr. Potter, who acts as the town’s ‘Scrooge’ and owns the bank where Uncle Billy was depositing the money, finds the lost money and keeps it to himself. The Building and Loan Association loans money to people Mr. Potter won’t so that they can have a decent home and create a community of people caring for and about each other.
This sends George into despair and he contemplates taking his life in the hopes his insurance will cover the deficit and save his family from ruin. Up in Heaven (yes, in 1946 we could talk openly about that) an apprentice angel named Clarence is waiting for a chance to earn his wings. He is assigned to George so that he may save him from this terrible choice. He does so by creating a situation where George has to save his life and George, being the guy he is, doesn’t’t hesitate.
George tells his new friend Clarence about his troubles and feeling that he is a failure. Clarence hatches a plan to show him what life in his town of Bedford Falls would be like had George not been there to be a friend to so many. The town had become a gambling den, rife with crime and poverty. It’s a sad life without George and he has an epiphany that brings him back to reality willing to face consequences for something he did not do.
However, in the meantime his wife and friends have banded together to raise the missing money that saves George from disgrace and jail. In the climatic scene that closes the film (spoiler alert) as the family and friends are gathered by the Christmas tree, a bell on the tree rings and Zuzu, George’s youngest daughter tells him every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings. As he looks down into the basket of money raised by his friends and family he spots Clarence’s favourite book with an inscription “No man is a failure who has friends”. You may remember the scene. George is a friend to many in his hometown of Bedford Falls and at that moment he experiences the fruit of all the friendships he has made over the years. It is a powerful story, almost a parable, about as far away from “Bad Santa” as you can get.
The concept of “friends” and the influential role they play in our lives and our projects aligns with the initiative of the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council’s launch of the “Friends of Crime Prevention” network. This idea grew out of the work done by the ad hoc Governance Committee, led by the efforts of Peter Ringrose and others. Their task was to increase the engagement of the citizens of the Region without adding to the Council’s membership, which is already comprehensive. The ad hoc committee did not use the term “acquaintances” or “associates” but purposefully used “Friends” because of its power.
Think of your close friends. These are people who share your passion and principles and who will stand with you even when things are tough; in fact, especially when things are tough. These are the people the WRCPC is looking for as friends of Crime Prevention.
What is a Friend of Crime Prevention?
A Friend can be an individual, community agency, business, municipality. Anyone with a passion for community
A Friend sees the connection between the work that they do and the opportunities to work together for a safer community
A Friend wants to become part of a larger network of peers
A Friend wants to stay informed about recent events, trends and research
A Friend takes action to create change in their own neighbourhood, community, workplace or organization.
No one organization, including the WRPS, John Howard Society, school boards, among many, can solve the problem of crime by working alone. We need their expertise and input but we also need that of businesses, social agencies, churches, colleges, universities and, perhaps equally as important, neighbourhoods made up of citizens like you and me who want to live in a safer, more civil society.
Another goal of the WRCPC is to provide strategic leadership in bringing many voices to the table and providing timely and relevant support, resources, research and sponsorship of events that will be the clearinghouse of ideas and projects for crime prevention in Waterloo Region. As you know, the WRCPC is looked to around the world as an exemplar of an organization that mobilizes the community to prevent crime.
The Friends of Crime Prevention initiative is a demonstration of the Council’s commitment to meeting the goals of its Strategic Plan. This network of friends, working collaboratively with each other and the Council shows that it takes a village to also create a community. It gives us access to a broader alliance of people sharing a common purpose who can bring a new array of knowledge and skills to collectively own the goal of truly creating safe streets and communities, more by collaborative actions than legislation.
Like George Bailey, we believe in the power of community. We know communities are groups of friends who want the best for each other and know that safe streets and neighbourhoods are born from connectivity. Research based upon the “Broken Window Theory” demonstrates that citizens, taking an active and intentional role in their community, help make it safer. In that theory, if no one intervenes to keep a neighbourhood safe, then it will continue to deteriorate and can become criminalized as the sense of community is lost since there is no collective ownership of the neighbourhood.
By becoming a “Friend of Crime Prevention” you can, as Gandhi said, “ be the change you wish to see in the world”. It’s a pretty simple process. Just visit www.preventingcrime.ca/friends, and join.
And, on December 24th, grab some popcorn and enjoy “It’s a Wonderful Life”.
Oh, and some Kleenex too. You’ll need it.
Author: Frank Johnson is a regular guest writer for Smart on Crime in Waterloo Region. Frank is a retired principal with the local Catholic school board, a dad, and sometimes runner who possesses an irreverent sense of humour that periodically gets him in trouble. He lives in Waterloo, Ontario.
Frank Johnson’s writing reflects his own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views or official positions of the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council.
Author: Doug McKlusky was born in Ottawa but is a long time resident of Waterloo Region including his university days. Doug recently retired from 30 years with the Waterloo Region District School Board. Doug was co-chair of the inREACH Street Gang Prevention Project until it closed in December 2013. But in his newly retired days, time has very quickly filled with important work such as Out of the Cold, Nutrition for Learning, Forest Heights Community Association and the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee for the City of Kitchener. And, wisely, Doug connects all his work to being an all-around ambassador for Friends of Crime Prevention – it really is about connection.
Sharing the story of the Accelerator Centre with 50 
Enough said. You can build a bridge, or a network…. but that doesn’t mean everyone will want to take part or use it… especially if it’s poorly designed and built! It’s important to put careful thought, planning and resources into whatever you design. And opportunities to improve it are always there!!