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 commonalties and differences.

Maybe we could  call it “Just Sit Tight”.

This symposium focused on ensuring that people with a track-record for mobilizing their communities received practical training and information from on-the-ground practitioners delivering promising and evidence-based gang reduction programming. Over the 3-days, there were many new relationships forged among those who truly care about reaching out to our youth. Guest speakers and government officials spoke about the importance of gang reduction and collaborating with each other on multiple levels. Darren Caul, the Director for the Alberta Gang Reduction Strategy referred to this as “skin in the game” and there is no doubt that there are some very high stakes involved – our youth. 

On several occasions throughout the symposium, speakers reiterated that the most important day was February 2nd, the first day after completing our training. It was clear that a chosen group of leaders had been invited so as to mobilize their communities in a collaborative well-organized effort to create new pathways and choices for our youth at-risk. I could not be more fortunate than to begin this process with an outstanding group of individuals representing Red Deer and area. These are caring people from the City of Red Deer (Social Planning), McMan Youth Family and Community Services Association, Parkland Youth Homes (Power Youth), the Red Deer Public School Division (Family School Wellness Program) and myself. Last week calls went out for meetings with Mayor Flewelling of Red Deer, Superintendant Dosko of the RCMP Red Deer City Detachment and a presentation on the Gang Strategy was made to the Red Deer High-Risk Youth Coalition, made up of various stakeholders throughout our community.

Among many highlights over the 3-days, Jack Calhoun’s words were the most moving for me. This man’s tireless work is to be commended and should inspire all of us to do our best and share our passion for this work.  You see, it’s not really a career, it’s a calling and this can make all the difference! I’ve seen Jack speak on two occasions now and I hope it won’t be my last. I’ve read his commentary many times and for those of us who are dedicated to our work and our communities I recommend you do the same, especially on days where you may feel defeated. Jack says “I have long been deeply moved and inspired by those doing the brutally tough work of trying to prevent crime, of intervening after a crime has been committed, of trying to keep kids back from the edge, trying to prevent kids on the street from penetrating more deeply into one of our “systems” – mental health, child welfare or juvenile justice.” See Full Commentary

What we do today and tomorrow is what will make the difference in the future. It must make sense “locally” and we must build capacity in order to succeed, to be available day or night and rescue our youth if necessary from the grips of gang-life. We must create safe places so there can be a sense of belonging for our youth. As Stephanie Payne, the Executive Director of the San Romanoway Revitalization Association and a speaker at the symposium said “there are no bad youth, just bad circumstances.”

Reflecting on some of Jack Calhoun’s final remarks I quickly scribbled and highlighted a couple of his key points to successfully reducing gangs anywhere. It seems like a great place to end this blog feature and ask my readership the same questions:

1. Who will staff? In other words, who will be the driving force and mobilize your community to help reduce gang violence and save our youth from this lifestyle?

2. Are you willing to go into the darkness? Reclaiming our at-risk youth is critical.

Please contact me for more information on how you can help our Red Deer Team take action using Alberta’s Gang Reduction Strategy.

2011 TAGS Event, Edmonton, Alberta

As a dedicated Crime Prevention and CPTED practitioner, I would like to suggest to you that the future is bright, creative and full of color. It may be somewhat risky for me to even suggest this, but I think we should give it a chance, graffiti that is. For those of you that are already calling the graffiti hotline to report me, hold the phone! Think about it, what are we really trying to eliminate here. If it’s vandalism on buildings and graffiti without permission then I’m still fighting in your corner. If graffiti is being done illegally then its certainly a crime and there should be significant consequences for those that perpetrate these acts of vandalism.

Last month, I attended The Anti-Graffiti Symposium (TAGS) event in Edmonton, Alberta. It’s not the first TAGS Event I’ve attended and it won’t be the last. It was hosted by the City of Edmonton’s Capital City Clean Up Program, with support from the Complaints and Investigations Section of the Community Standards Branch and the Edmonton Police Service. It was well-organized with plenty of supporters and a very dynamic group of guest speakers, many of them considered experts on the subject of graffiti. This year, there were also a number of graffiti artists and taggers invited which I thought was brilliant. After all, they were guests and did offer us a unique perspective on the subject during a panel presentation and discussion.

It could not have been planned better, dinner out the first evening and sitting beside me, one of the panelists. Pontus Agren has a Bachelor of Arts degree (Honours) in criminology from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC. I consider him a future change agent in facing the graffiti dilemma that every community experiences. Let’s recognize that people like Pontus can help us turn a negative into a positive. He is certainly not the only one out there with incredible potential, but Pontus has helped demonstrate that there are great alternatives available for us to explore. After 10 years of writing illegal graffiti, he participated in a Restorative Justice Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP). His VORP experience led him to become the first anti-graffiti coordinator in the City of Surrey, BC. Pontus now participates in RestART, a restorative justice based graffiti abatement project that works with graffiti writers to help them turn illegal graffiti practices into legal, productive outlets for their art. Pontus recently completed a university thesis on RestART entitled “Vancouver’s Restorative Art (RESTART) Anti-Graffiti Project: An Exploration and Evaluation of General and Specific Benefits and Challenges.” – Click Here!

Are some communities so focused on abatement that they are missing the opportunity to create new avenues for this art style. And for you critics out there, I’m not talking about some one-stop tag that’s scribbled on a mailbox or dumpster in 10 seconds. There is no doubt that graffiti and the subculture that supports it is risky. However, the potential for positive change where we can actually have an impact on high-risk behaviour such as this is worth pursuing. I’m suggesting an approach that is well planned and led by professionals, not some off the wall idea! During the past few years we are starting to see some great success stories about communities and neighbourhoods that are being transformed. For me, it’s fantastic that these areas are being revitalized through public art projects such as the “Wynwood Walls” in Miami, Florida where graffiti-infused neighbourhoods are coming alive. Now that’s inspiring!

Cochrane Street Piano

Well, it’s back to the business of blogging now that I’ve taken a summer break and enjoyed some terrific weather here in Red Deer, Alberta. There were plenty of interesting things to see and do and I even spent a little time in Santa Monica, California recently. Special thanks to Crime Prevention coordinators Lauralee and Suzie of the Santa Monica Police Department for allowing me to meet some of their Watch personnel and setting up a ride-along for me with patrol officer Blake Cooper. It’s a very progressive police service with dedicated, well-trained officers that work closely with their community to serve and protect. You will soon be able to follow the Santa Monica PD on Twitter.

It was great to see another successful summer launch of the Ross Street Piano here in Red Deer and a 2nd street piano provided for the residents of Cochrane, Alberta. Their initiative was the result of two Mount Royal University students studying criminology, with a little help from their professor. Randi Boulton, a young rising star who has always supported our local project in Red Deer was happy to provide the entertainment for their event on August 7th. Many passersby enjoyed the music and it will be something their community can now enjoy annually. Who says that you need to reinvent the wheel to produce great results. Through all of this I’ve somehow ended up with a new nickname and you can read about that in this summers edition of Red Deer Living Magazine.

There are some great crime prevention conferences just ahead. In Calgary this coming Wednesday, the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association will be holding their event with a great lineup of speakers and you can still register. You can also attend The Anti Graffiti Symposium (TAGS) in Edmonton this October 18 & 19 and learn more about this important community issue. I will be attending both events with various colleagues and encourage you to join us.

Last but not least, we encourage you to join us on Twitter, subscribe by email or through our RSS feed and get connected with us. This is easy and can be done quickly by clicking on the links at the top of our blog. We do our best to share current and relevant information and always appreciate your contributions and feedback. This fall and winter we will be offering some great blog features on fencing, lighting, security, community-based policing initiatives and much more. Help us create safe communities everywhere and target crime in your neighbourhood.

Lorne Daniel leading Jane's Walk group in Downtown Red Deer

There was no shortage of events focusing on the importance of Crime Prevention and Safe Communities this month. Its been great and very exciting to be an active participant. Alberta Crime Prevention week was held from May 8 – 14 and I was honoured to serve on the selection committee, helping identify this years recipients for the 20th Annual Crime Prevention Awards. There was 9 awards received by various community organizations, police members, community groups collaborating with police, the media and two individuals. You will be able to get all the details soon by visiting the Alberta Solicitor General & Public Security online where you will find photos and bios on all the award winners this year. Kudos to our government and to the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association for a job well done!

Crime prevention and community safety were also front and center locally, right here in the beautiful city of Red Deer, Alberta. There were several events and some very informative newspaper features in both the Red Deer Advocate and Red Deer Express for Crime Prevention Week. Subjects ranged from modern crime prevention looking to the root of the problem to our local RCMP Community Response Unit contributing to crime prevention in Red Deer’s downtown. However, the highlight for me was organizing a special event with my friend Lorne Daniel, for our cities first Jane’s Walk.

On Saturday, May 7th, Lorne and I lead two separate walks for the event, one in the morning and another mid-afternoon stroll. Both were fairly well attended, especially considering it was our first year organizing the walks. We had a good cross-section of people joining us, including Mayor Morris Flewwelling, City Councillor Paul Harris, several planners, citizens and even a project manager from Williams Engineering. The two themes we chose can be found at Jane’s Walk, along with a host of information on Jane Jacobs and the legacy she has left for all of us.

It’s amazing how many people actually got out and walked this year. At Jane’s Walk HQ, they recently reported that there has been significant growth! Here are some of the numbers as of May 25th: 511 tours around the world in 75 cities (36 cities in Canada) – yeah Red Deer, Alberta. Almost 20,000 people around the world participated on a Jane’s Walk on May 7 & 8, almost a 40% increase from last year. It was an incredible experience with Lorne and I getting some great feedback from those that joined us that cold, windy day. Now, we just have to walk the walk, so to speak and get ready for 2012.

Local Red Deer artist Amy Braun preparing the Ross Street Piano

Red Deer Advocate staff photographer Natasha Schmale snaps a great photo in preparation of the summer arrival of the Ross Street Piano on the streets of downtown Red Deer, next Wednesday. The piano made its first appearance last July when my friends and family contributed to its purchase for my 50th birthday. Some restoration work by A&J Piano and Tuning was required and then I gifted the instrument back to our community.

Crime prevention you ask – you bet

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design practitioners understand the benefits of creating safe streets and the types of activity that encourage positive interaction in our public spaces. Local residents, people at-risk, musicians and other passers-by sat down last summer to play a tune or just listen to the music. It was certainly music for my ears.

If you live in this neck of the woods or looking for a great day trip, come join us in Red Deer.  Musicians Randi Boulton, Carl Stretton and Paeton Cameron will be joining many others and performing around the piano during the lunch hour, on June 1st. The Ross Street Piano will be located for your enjoyment in front of the Thai Garden Restaurant located at 4916 Ross Street from June 1st through August 2011.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO SHARE IN SOME GREAT MUSIC AND THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY

Nobody recognized this more than Jane Jacobs who wrote “Cities have the capability of providing something for everyone, only because, and only when, they are created for everybody.” The more we all connect with our built-environment, the more we can truly enjoy it. It’s not just about the people we share our public spaces with, its about how we build and design our cities, our communities.

This coming weekend, May 7th & 8th marks the annual Jane’s Walk which was originally launched in Toronto in 2007. The event was first organized by a group of Jane Jacob’s friends and colleagues who wanted to honour her ideas and legacy. We encourage you to learn more about Jane and share her passion with us this weekend.  Experience the sights and sounds right here in beautiful downtown Red Deer.  Join Lorne Daniel from Grandview Consulting and myself for two informative walks that will begin from our new Cenotaph Plaza located on Ross Street & 49 Avenue.

Lorne’s walk, titled “Windows, Doors & Blank Spaces” begins at 10 a.m. and my walk titled “Safe Streets” begins at 2 p.m.  Join us for both if you wish.

The two days provided those in attendance with information from speakers that have been successful in sharing their experiences. We talked about what works and how we can continue the momentum by mobilizing our communities further by embracing best practices and supporting each other in our efforts. For crime prevention practitioners like myself, it was also a big boost and a pat on the back for doing what we do in our communities. Jack Calhoun, former President and CEO, US National Crime Prevention Council – UNITY (Urban Networks to Increase Thriving Youth) put it best when he said “what you do is not a career, it’s a calling.” There is no doubt that many communities and various practitioners throughout our province are dedicated to ensuring that crime prevention and community safety remains an on-going priority and is sustainable. The Alberta Government created the Alberta Safe Communities initiative for all of us and we must continue to play a role. You can start by planning a special event for Crime Prevention Week in your community. It will be held next month from May 8th – 14th, for more information please visit the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association.

Jane Jacobs once wrote “you don’t really get a clear picture until you get out of theory-land and get into the street for a closer look.”  That is exactly what Kelly Moslenko, a student at RDC got to do this fall.

I feel as though I came into this experience very naive and skeptical to the concept of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). To begin with my knowledge of crimes, criminals, and why people commit crimes was very basic so the idea of being able to deter criminals with changing the surrounding environment seemed very unrealistic to me. However, after a combination of volunteer sessions with Steve, a very informative seminar and a well detailed criminology class my viewpoint has drastically changed. I was introduced to various theories and concepts throughout the term that try to make sense of and solve criminal behavior but the theory and the concept that influenced me the most was the rational choice theory and CPTED. The rational choice theory suggests that criminal behavior is the result of rational, conscious decision making made by the individual. The individual weighs the consequences of the criminal act and they make their decision to offend based on the target, the risk of getting caught, and the environment. CPTED also believes that it is the individual that makes the conscious decision to offend which is why this concept works. If you can alter the environment to increase the risks associated with committing a crime in that area, you can change a person’s decision to follow through with the act. I was fortunate enough to witness the practical application of each of the CPTED principles which only further enhanced my understanding and acceptance of the concept.. This is why I believe CPTED is an effective crime prevention strategy because you are ultimately altering a criminal’s decision to offend by simply changing the environment.

I had to come to the realization that there is never going to be a single solution in the fight against crime which is an expectation that I believe so many of us hold. We want a single immediate solution that will completely eliminate crime and too often we rely on our governments and police to fulfill this desire. After my experience with CPTED I came to recognize what we as individuals could do to be proactive in the fight against crime. CPTED is a proactive approach to preventing crime that has the potential of producing immediate and significant results. We, as a society, need to open our minds and understand that there are other means that can be effective in the fight against crime and it is important that we educate ourselves with them. I feel very fortunate that I was able to have this experience as I gained valuable knowledge that I will continue to study and apply in the future. I want to thank Steve Woolrich for this opportunity and providing me with a comprehensive understanding of the principles behind and the practical applications of CPTED.

Kelly Moslenko

This is an evolving methodology, one that holds great potential for those companies wanting to make a difference in their communities. In fact, it reminds me of the CNN Heroes Special that aired recently and profiled 10 Everyday People Changing the World. Can you imagine this type of commitment in the corporate world? Well, many can and are moving in the right direction. These leaders are not only concerned with the bottom-line, they’re tapping into something much bigger than themselves. In fact, they are going above and beyond what most companies would ever dream of and this requires such attributes as vision, inspiration, imagination and dedication … just to name a few. This requires active engagement at many levels to be successful.  More than anything, it’s about forging forward and never giving up on humanity, no matter how disturbing the issue.

In his book titled “The Empathic Civilization”, Jeremy Rifkin wrote about something called Service Learning, where millions of young people are now required to perform public service in neighbourhood organizations where they assist others in need and advance the quality of life of the community.  He also writes ” the traditional assumption that knowledge is power and is used for personal gain is being subsumed by the notion that knowledge is an expression of the shared responsibilities for the collective well-being of humanity and the planet as a whole.”

As a Crime Prevention practitioner, I find this nothing less than remarkable and it encourages me to strive for better methods of being innovative in what I do for my community and for my clients. It’s new ideas such as SROI that motivate me and hopefully motivate others to become better business leaders. I challenge other businesses to explore how they can do more than simply turn a profit.  Make no mistake it is our communities that truly sustain us from day to day and nourish each and every one of us.  Giving has always been a greater cause!