Anti-Vandalism Initiative Evolves into Brampton Safe City Association
n
anti-vandalism initiative in the city of Brampton, Ontario which began
25 years ago has evolved into the Brampton Safe City Association which
works with residents, business,
community groups, the City of Brampton and the Peel Regional Police to
educate the public and support programs that make Brampton one of
Canada 's safest cities.
History
n 1981, after several city recreation facilities were vandalized,
a community task force was struck to look at ways that the community
could get involved in addressing vandalism in Brampton. A report was
presented to city council that called for a series of recommendations,
including the creation of a permanent committee to develop programs
and initiatives aimed at preventing vandalism. When council approved
the recommendations in March of 1982, the Vandalism Prevention Committee
was established.
The Vandalism Prevention Committee realized graffiti and property damage around the city was the symptom of a larger local crime problem. The committee needed to expand its relationship with Peel Regional Police and focused on developing a number of crime prevention related programs such as Neighbourhood Watch, STEP (Seniors Taking Extra Precautions) and START (Students Teaching Awareness and Responsibility Today), which not only addressed vandalism but crime as well.
Brampton Crime Prevention Association
y 1989, the Vandalism Prevention Committee evolved into the Brampton
Crime Prevention Association. This resulted in very successful programs
such as: the Business Crime Watch Program, CHALLENGE (a crime prevention
program for persons with disabilities), Trash and Consequences (an anti-vandalism/anti-litter
program for young children) and a new partnership with Brampton’s
Block Parent Program.
In 1997, the Brampton Crime Prevention Association initiated a millennium project, to make Brampton the safest city in Canada by the year 2000. The project became known as the Brampton Safe City Campaign. The campaign brought together community partners from across the city who encouraged residents and businesses “to do just one thing to make Brampton a safer city”. The enormous success of the campaign led to the realization that crime prevention, injury reduction, and road safety were all important and connected priorities for making Brampton a safe and wonderful place to live.
Brampton Crime Prevention Association
s a result, the Brampton Crime Prevention
Association expanded its efforts by supporting broader safety programs
and revised its name to the Brampton Safe City Association in 1999.
Since that time, successful new initiatives such as YES, (Youth Education
and Safety), Road Watch, and the Safe City Partnership have been launched
to support the community in not only reducing crime, but in preventing
injuries and accidents as well.
Visit the Brampton Safe City Association by clicking here.
