Posts Tagged ‘Waterloo Region’
Posted on: November 17th, 2011 by Smart on Crime
Whatever stereotypes you might have about youth and drugs and alcohol…… just put them aside for the moment. Youth, like any other group in our community, are affected by drugs and alcohol. While many will experiment with this or that drug and drinking, still more are motivated to use because of physical and/or emotional pain until it becomes a problem. How to help? How to intervene? How to prevent?
One of the best ways to better understand and address the issues and challenges facing youth and substance use is to learn from them.
That’s why the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council and In The Mind’s Eye is pleased to present…… SubArtSpace.
SubArtSpace is a youth art and theatre based project for exploring the youth experience and perspective on substance use. Working with the world renowned MT Space and other local artists, a group of youth committed to expressing themselves through their art will face their stories head on in an evening of theatre, music, dance, poetry, photography and visual art. A single story cannot capture each youth’s experience.
This innovative event is for anyone who wishes to immerse themselves in the some of the realities of growing up today- and emerge with a fresh perspective and understanding.
When: Monday November 28, 2011
Where: Kitchener Waterloo Collegiate Institute, 787 King Street West, Kitchener
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
When: Monday December 5, 2011
Where: Lang’s, 1145 Concession Road, Cambridge
Time: 7:00 – 8:30pm
When: Tuesday December 6, 2011
Where: Queen Street Commons, 43 Queen Street South, Kitchener
Time: 7:00 – 9:00pm
**this performance is paired with several films from the final night of “In The Mind’s Eye Film + Forum”.
This Project has been made possible by a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services with support from the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council, MT Space and Kitchener Waterloo Collegiate Institute.
Posted on: November 9th, 2011 by Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council
Each year, the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council, along with its many partner organizations, sets aside a day where the focus is to simply say “hi” to people with whom we interact. It’s a simple concept that builds on the notion that it’s harder to victimize or stigmatize another person when you see them as worthy of a greeting. Much like the ‘golden rule’, it asks us to acknowledge another’s humanity by simply saying hello to them with a genuine smile.
Several years ago, when gaining additional qualifications as a teacher, I came upon the work of William Purkey, known as the founder of Invitational Education. His theory is that if schools (and by extension any organization) treats people with trust, respect, intentionality, optimism and caring, then embeds these concepts in their policies and processes, we will see more engaged and happier students and staff. The “Say Hi” program is the kind of intentional program Purkey would support. Simply greeting people each day and offering them a positive interaction creates happier places. Happier places are safer places because each person feels more of an investment in creating and maintaining the caring culture that results. We move from simply saying ‘hi’ to more of a relationship with another. We become connected and sociologists will tell us that the more connected we are, the safer we are. And one thing we can all agree upon is that we want to feel safe in our communities.
Based on the success of this venture I’d like to suggest we go a bit further.
How about pledging to keep our smartphones in our pockets, backpacks or purses when we sit across from people in a restaurant? How about we use this time to actually look into the other’s eyes, listen to what they are saying and not to whip the smartphone out like a cowboy preparing for a gunfight? Is it just me or have you noticed the same thing? Just yesterday I watched what appeared to be a happy couple waiting for their food to arrive. Each had their BlackBerry out and sat for several minutes responding to or sending messages with no interaction between them. It’s like the other wasn’t even in the same room. Think about it…how many of our messages/texts are so vital that they can’t be ignored for 30 minutes? Why not invest this time to chat about movies, books, the weather or perhaps even to explore shared or even diverse values and beliefs? Use that time to make or build upon a connection. A face to face connection that allows us to explore our commonalities and differences.
Maybe we could call it “Just Sit Tight”.
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.
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 Crime Prevention Council.
Posted on: November 8th, 2011 by Smart on Crime
It’s a bird, it’s a plane…. no, wait… it’s Say Hi Gal and Say Hi Guy! In recognition of Crime Prevention Week across Ontario, Waterloo Region will be visited by these caped crime prevention crusaders to remind us that we all have a role to play in crime prevention and it can start with an act as simple as saying Hi!.
We know that a connected community is a safer and one small way of building connection is by simply saying Hi to a neighbour, someone you see everyday on your walk to work or getting a coffee, a complete stranger on the bus or in the grocery store. Say Hi Gal and Say Hi Guy are here to remind us of how its done! It doesn’t cost a thing, it doesn’t take long, and the the rewards are worth it.
Word is there was already a reported and recorded sighting of Say Hi Gal at the Woolwich Township Council on Monday evening! Watch out for this masked marvel on the streets of Waterloo Region this week, and don’t be shy, just say Hi!
Say Hi Gal
Say Hi Guys
Say Hi – Cape Central
Say Hi Gal and Say Hi Guy are an extension of the very successful school based Say Hi campaign that addresses inclusion, student engagement, diversity and understanding. To learn more about the Say Hi program visit www.sayhi.ca.
Posted on: September 15th, 2011 by Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council
Elections are expected in seven Canadian provinces and territories this fall, including Ontario, where our Crime Prevention Council is located. Election periods always gain a great deal of media attention – the campaign stops, the announcements, the debates, the photo-ops….. But how do you know what a candidate really thinks on a particular issue? And how do you get engaged to ask the questions that are relevant to you? How do you know what questions to ask? What do you do when an issue important to you is not reflected in a candidate’s agenda?
Several community based agencies and provincial organizations are already steps ahead on this election thing and encourage people to take action using a variety of guides and kits created for just this purpose. Since everything we write about in this blog is related to crime prevention and smart on crime approaches to reducing crime, we’ve put together a list of election guides from organizations that work on root cause issues of crime.
If you’re passionate about an issue in your community, contact the associated organization or agency to find out if they have any prepared information that you can use to inform yourself AND inform others.
Elections are just one of our civic opportunities to engage and influence the decision makers of the day. What will you do to make your voice heard?
Posted on: July 26th, 2011 by Smart on Crime
On the heels of the July 21st Statistics Canada report on crime statistics for 2010, several media outlets ran editorials over the past few days asking a similar question: If crime has been on a downward trend since 1973, why is the ‘tough of crime’ agenda so popular? These editorials appeared as music to our ‘smart on crime’ ears; because asking tough questions about evidence based practice is the smart thing to do!
Here’s a collection of the coast-to-coast reflections:
Have you seen other editorials and articles on this in your city or town newspaper? Send us the link and we will add it to the list above.
Posted on: July 11th, 2011 by Smart on Crime
This is the final blog post in the victims of crime series. This post points you to helpful resources and links for agencies that support victims of crime in Waterloo Region.
The first three posts included:
There are many agencies within Waterloo Region working to support victims of crime, as well as many provincial and national advocacy agencies working for victim’s rights. Services to support victims of crime can be found by contacting 211 Ontario or Victim Services of Waterloo Region. Many agencies offer counselling and other support.
A few things victims need are protection, information, to be heard and believed and to be treated with dignity. With the support of those close to them, victims are more likely to seek professional support. With professional support, victims are more likely to define their own needs in overcoming the situation or dealing with the trauma.
A few local resources:
Advocacy for Victims of Crime
Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime
Office for Victims of Crime
Victim Services of Waterloo Region
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region
Victim/Witness Assistance Program
Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region
Drug and Alcohol Helpline
Author: Tracie McGrath-Levis
Tracie McGrath-Levi is a completing a student placement with WRCPC and has contributed previous posts to Smart on Crime. In addition to completing her Bachelor of Social Work degree at Renison College, University of Waterloo, Tracie works full-time with the John Howard Society in Milton. In her role there Tracie works in court four days a week in an adult diversion program and in bail.
Posted on: June 17th, 2011 by Smart on Crime
Waterloo Region is host to the fifth largest population of newcomers in Canada. As a student completing my masters in social work and doing a work placement at the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (WRCPC), I’ve come to wonder about the perceptions that citizens have about immigration and crime. During my time at WRCPC, this topic really caught my interest because I am very interested in new comers’ experiences and addressing the challenges they face when integrating into Canadian society.
Last year, approximately 280,000 immigrants were granted permanent residence status in Canada, making 2010 the highest in over fifty years. In the June issue of The Walrus magazine, Rachel Giese writes a very relevant article, “Arrival of the Fittest”. She sets the context for a discussion on dropping crime rates and rising immigrant within the story of a ship from Sri Lanka carrying 492 Tamils, including women and children. She brings attention to the poor reception of these refugees who desired to come to Canada to flee the devastation in their country, twenty-six years of civil war and the 2004 tsunami. Giese talks about Canada’s lack of understanding or empathy for this population, who have been referred to as “gatecrashers” for wanting to come to Canada for safety.
Canada’s acceptance of immigrants has become and will continue to become one of the staples of our economy. In my studies I have come to understand that not only is immigration necessary for the stability of our workforce and economy, but it also allows Canada to welcome a variety of talented, caring and unique individuals and families into our diverse nation. Giese points to a recent Canadian poll that found that 46% of Canadians believed immigration was having a negative effect on the country. Additionally, she mentions that “in times of social upheaval and economic hardship, immigrants are a convenient scapegoat, accused of bringing with them an element of deviance and criminality: they upset the social order, the line goes, steal our jobs and our property, and ruin our neighborhoods.”
But, is there really evidence to show that immigration contributes to higher crime rates? On the contrary, “Arrival of the Fittest” suggests that crime rates are dropping as immigration increases, especially in areas with high immigrant populations. Several American studies mentioned in this Time magazine article show similar evidence that increased immigration does not lead to increased crime. For example, results of one study showed that third generation Americans were 45% more likely to commit violent acts than first generation immigrants of any background.
I believe that we have some valuable lessons to learn from the sense of community and support that new comer populations often bring with them from other countries. A connected community means a strong community. Instead of allowing new comers to become the “scapegoat” for criminal activity and crime rates, Canadians should take advantage of the opportunity to get to know their neighbours, no matter where they were born, and forge a new, stronger sense of community. A community where neighbours accept, care and look out for one another. Just some food for thought!
Author: Jacinda Clouthier
In addition to completing her Masters of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University, Jacinda works with Veteran’s Affairs in Pembroke,Ontario, assisting ill or injured military members upon their return from the Canadian Forces.
Posted on: January 25th, 2011 by Smart on Crime
Individuals with a criminal record can face significant barriers to gaining employment upon release from prison. One of the single most important factors for reducing recidivism is finding a job.This week, the Waterloo Region Record talked with Jessica Hutchison about the upcoming Employment Forum for Federally Sentenced Women. Being smart on crime means “finding good, sustainable jobs to ensure that women leaving the prison have a successful change at reintegrating into the community”.
We couldn’t agree more.
The forum is open to community members and takes place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 7 2011. For more information or to register, contact Jessica Hutchison at jhutchison[at]regionofwaterloo.ca or 519-575-4757 ext. 5260.
Posted on: January 7th, 2011 by Smart on Crime
While the Crime Prevention Council is all about preventing crime, we also have a commitment to reducing victimization which results from crime. The Missing Pieces report gives 44 recommendations for reducing and preventing interpersonal violence in Waterloo Region. “The Missing Pieces” report is part of the Violence Prevention Plan for the Region of Waterloo. This work of the Crime Prevention Council fall within our priority direction for Research and Inquiry.
The research findings and recommendations were developed after a series of interviews with victims and offenders of interpersonal violence and a number of community agencies who deal with the aftermath of violence.
“Many of the “missing pieces” are actually not missing at all – they are scattered throughout our community waiting to be assembled,” said John Shewchuk, Chair of the WRCPC, “This report will help Waterloo Region put in place the needed supports to help curb interpersonal violence and finally complete the puzzle.” Recommendations related to victims were made in the areas of system navigation, support to LGBTQ, sexual assault, male victims, elder abuse, screening for abuse, and domestic violence.
Recommendations related to offenders were made in the areas of offender reintegration, employment, housing, and the Partner Assault Response program. Recommendations related to both victims and offenders were made in the areas of cultural services and access to counselling.
You can download the full report here.
Posted on: December 30th, 2010 by Smart on Crime
Here’s something we would say fits solidly in the ‘Smart on Crime” camp. Today, the Waterloo Region Record reports on the announcement of a drug treatment court for the Waterloo Region and area.
The justice systems (police, corrections, courts) have long identified drug and alcohol addiction, along with mental health issues, to be at the root of a high percentage of cases ending up in the criminal justice system. Most agree the justice system is not the best place, or most cost effective, to treat a drug or alcohol addition. In fact, most cycle through the revolving door as the root cause of the issue is never addressed.
Alternative approaches, such as drug treatment courts, are some success in getting to the roots of addition, criminal activity and incarceration for some individuals… and breaking the cycle of crime.
Some additional links:
Update: On Thursday February 17, The Current, a program on CBC radio, interviewed the Calgary Chief of Police, Rick Hanson, about his plans for developing more effective ways to deal with additions in the justice system. The interview is well worth a listen – great food for thought!
