There are many people living in this city in a state of fear. Violence, theft, and vandalism are our constant neighbours. City council must step in and take leadership on this issue.
While having our police focusing on violent and property crimes will be a beginning, the long-term solutions must include preventative measures. The Underground Gym, which has made the news lately, is one excellent example of how small investments now can generate long-term benefits. When young people are taught to be engaged in the community, they develop a proprietary relationship with their space. This combats the alienation which is often cited as an initial cause of anti-social behaviour.
Having more community involvement opportunities for young people will have a direct positive benefit to the community groups who get the help. The secondary benefits are to the youth who build a connection to their community through involvement and investment. There is also a tertiary benefit to society as a whole; there is one more active citizen helping to improve the community.
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More police is definitely NOT an element of crime prevention. Mostly, police are important after crime has occurred. The city's soon-to-emerge crime prevention committee has to get it right: invest in ways to provide support and options for youth (the underground gym is one of those and so are our local arts and culture groups), teachers, public health (outreach nurses and counsellors), and parents. Crime prevention will take many avenues and will definitely take time. More police is the wrong financial investment.
ReplyDeleteJay, your profile says:
ReplyDelete"I am running for City Council to help maintain all the things there are to love about the city, while developing a safe and beautiful place to live.
I offer common sense, ..."
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Jay, nowadays Common Sense is going the way of the dodo bird -
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
. Knowing when to come in out of the rain
. Why the early bird gets the worm
. Life isn't always fair
. and maybe it was my fault
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies ... don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies ... adults, not children, are in charge.
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
Best of luck in the upcoming election.
Windemere Voter