The Safety Acceptance Guidance Empowerment committee has received what North Battleford Community Safety Co-ordinator Herb Sutton describes as “initial confirmation” of $51,000 in funding from Indigenous Services Canada towards “multi-government steering committee” efforts.
This is the long-term sustainable model to help the municipality and region address the root cause issues contributing to community safety issues in the community.
However, Sutton said in his recent report to the City of North Battleford’s council they still did not have a signed contract or the cheque “in hand.” Until that happens, the consultant teams will continue to provide their guidance with no compensation yet in place.
Sutton also confirmed that the word “coalition” is no longer being used to describe that effort.
“That term is now becoming a buzzword in government,” said Sutton, “and they’re talking about coalitions referring to a variety of things.”
To avoid further confusion, for now their initiative will be known as the “multi-government steering committee.” He adds the name will evolve and the leaders will determine what it will be called.
Sutton reiterated the need for multi levels of governments to come together to work on the root cause issues.
“It just makes sense to work collectively to address those,” said Sutton, who adds “a regional committee of leaders has a much better and a much more likely way of influencing provincial and federal governments to come to the table. So that’s where we’re headed with this.”
The other main effort Sutton discussed is Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. He gave credit to that committee for “driving the work” around the Community Perception Survey that launched Oct. 23.
Sutton also responded to the criticism about how the crime safety efforts were taking too long and not showing results.
“That’s when we have to go back to the research and say ‘yes, but we’re using the research to design the programs that we’re engaged in.’ And, I think, that’s a very important message to get out there.”
