Our team is excited to announce our commitment to the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association (ACCPA) this year. It will all begin on May 8th as we offer a Pre-conference workshop on Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) for Rural Communities and Small Populations. ACCPA has been instrumental in serving Albertans and addressing a wide-range […]
A Capital Lesson on Collaboration
I recently traveled to Ottawa to lecture at the 2017 RPIC Real Property National Workshop. My presentation was similar to one I will do for my own community in Victoria, BC this coming March. It was an incredible trip, one of sharing knowledge and certainly one of discovery. I had always wanted to see our […]
What Makes our Communities Safe?
This question remains a global one and a focal point for all cities and all levels of government, and reaches the deepest roots of our neighbourhoods. It seems to drive many conversations among coffeehouse patrons and has even ended up on corporate agendas and part of boardroom discussions. While community safety has always been paramount […]
Crime Prevention and Capitalism: What’s the Rub? Part II
In part I of our blog feature from last week I presented the contrast between the corporate world and smaller communities such as Rocky Mountain House, where I recently spoke to about 50 local residents. These rural communities are found beyond the larger municipalities and the city limits. We explored the War on Drugs, policing […]
Crime Prevention and Capitalism: What’s the rub? Part I
We live in a world that often believes that bigger is better – more profit and income – larger homes and communities. That list is BIG and it seems to be growing all the time. This past week I found myself working in two different worlds. There was a stark contrast between them. Stepping into […]
Peacemaking Circles – Part II
by Dianna Bennett Community Engagement using Peacemaking Circles is not a novel concept, us European types are just slow learners. Circles have been used over the millennia by many first nations around the world. The first people’s (aka indigenous peoples) used Circle process to make serious decisions that impacted all in the community. Indigenous peoples […]
Peacemaking Circles
by Dianna Bennett What are Peacemaking Circles you ask? They are a restorative practice used in Restorative Justice, along with having a few other pretty amazing applications…so stay tuned. Restorative Justice is a voluntary process. It is a grassroots, community based response to crime or harm resulting from situations. It has been practiced in […]
More Prevention less Police
With 2016 well underway I’m reminded of how much work we still have ahead of us. While there is no question we are making some great progress – many municipalities continue to struggle with issues that often seem to cripple them or at least set them back. How can we help and are there solutions? […]