New Building Safer Communities Strategy Released

Today (October 8, 2024), Council approved the Building Safer Communities Strategy at the Committee of the Whole Meeting, which supports crime prevention activities throughout the City. The strategy is a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing the root causes of violence and crime while promoting a safe, connected and healthy community for all residents.

The strategy is made possible thanks to a three-year funding commitment from Public Safety Canada, announced in February 2023, to enhance community safety and collaboration.

“We know that creating safe and healthy communities is a shared responsibility,” said Mayor Danny Breen. “While the City does not provide direct services or programs related to policing or justice, we are an important facilitator in developing initiatives to improve public safety, crime prevention and well-being. This strategy will enhance our ability to coordinate meaningful action with partners, so that we can make St. John’s a safer, more vibrant community for everyone.”

The strategy identifies 50 action items to achieve the following eight goals:

1. Strengthen community organizations' capacity to address root causes of violence and crime.
2. Enhance the City’s capacity through training, resources, and partnerships.
3. Increase public awareness and education of the root causes of violence and crime, and local prevention programs.
4. Foster community collaboration and leadership in addressing violence and crime.
5. Advocate for systemic legislative and policy reforms to address violence and crime.
6. Improve understanding of crime trends and intervention effectiveness through research.
7. Promote cultural respect and Indigenous rights through collaboration and anti-racism efforts.
8. Enhance public safety through better urban design and infrastructure.

The goals and action items in the strategy were carefully developed through public engagement, research, and collaboration with community partners. An evaluation framework will guide the progress and ensure that all actions are aligned with measurable outcomes.

The Building Safer Communities Strategy is designed to evolve over time, reflecting the needs of the St. John’s community. City staff, along with the Building Safer Communities Steering Committee, will review and update the strategy based on continued feedback from residents and community partners.

The City of St. John’s has a strategic direction to be a Connected City, one where people feel connected, have a sense of belonging and are actively engaged in community life. This strategy will advance this direction by improving access to programs, services and public spaces that build safe, healthy and vibrant communities.

Related Links

• Read Building Safer Communities Strategy
• PSA: What We Heard Findings from Engagement
• Engage St. John’s project page
• Building Safer Communities Steering Committee