City takes integrated approach to community, transit safety
May 1, 2023
City Manager Andre Corbould has provided an update to Council on the City’s actions to enhance transit safety, increase vibrancy in the downtown core and foster recovery in Chinatown over the past year.
“Community safety is central to the quality of life for residents of any city. Everyone should feel secure and confident to walk down city streets, ride public transit or explore any community in Edmonton,” he said. “The City has responded in a number of ways to enhance the health and safety of Edmontonians, particularly in the downtown core.”
The City’s actions are focused around three areas – city-wide transit safety, Chinatown recovery and downtown vibrancy:
Transit Safety:
Implemented the Transit Community Action Team foot patrol program to reduce and prevent crime and disorder.
Established the Transit Safety Working Group and Downtown Pedway Working Group to enhance collaboration with community partners.
Continued enhancement of coordinated Transit Peace Officers, police, outreach and security guard deployment models.
Deployed Transit Peace Officers, including during evening and late night hours.
Expanded the Community Outreach Team, which pairs transit peace officers with outreach workers from Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society to ensure vulnerable Edmontonians are connected with long-term support services.
Conducting ongoing safety audits of LRT stations and transit centres.
Renovated the 101 Street bus shelter using principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design, with funding from the Canada Community Revitalization Fund.
Launched the Bystander Awareness campaign to help reduce gender-based violence and harassment in transit spaces.
Chinatown Recovery:
Introduced a $1-million Chinatown Recovery Fund which has been directed via the Chinatown Recovery Committee to support safety and security, cultural events, and small business support.
Provided $600,000 in funding for enhanced security to the Chinatown and Area Business Association and its members.
Increased services to include daily street cleaning, including encampment and needle pick-up.
Initiated the Window Repair Program to enhance safety and help businesses recover from damage due to vandalism and graffiti.
Allocated $4.9 million over 2023 and 2024 to activate the Healthy Streets Operations Centre with multi-disciplinary community safety teams. An additional $10.3 million in funding was provided through the Edmonton Police Service.
Downtown Vibrancy:
Downtown Vibrancy Fund dedicated $6.5 million for 61 projects, including $2 million for public safety projects and $1 million for lighting projects in 2022 (with additional investment in 2023)
Provided funding for the Overdose Prevention & Response Team (OPRT), made up of trained medical professionals and outreach workers, that provides drug poisoning prevention and response throughout the downtown pedway system, including surrounding streets and ETS transit facilities.
Incentivized shovel-ready projects through the Edmonton Economic Incentive Construction Grant Program, which will lead to 2,300 new residential units and 78,000 square feet of commercial space, and create more than 4,000 jobs.
Enhanced cleaning, beautification and infrastructure improvements including streetscaping, art and light installations.
The Downtown Special Waste Collection team is providing daily patrols of roads, sidewalks and alleyways for litter, debris, needles and biohazardous waste. In 2023, this crew collected 1,483 needles, 2,567 bags of litter and 251 shopping carts.
“Cities across the country are facing challenges with public safety and security, and we recognize that crime is an ongoing concern for Edmontonians,” said Corbould. “Edmonton is taking action, and working with police and community partners in an integrated way. We are moving forward on practical solutions on both safety issues directly, and on some of the social challenges behind them. We will continue to report progress on this work, both to Council and to Edmontonians.”
Media contact:
Brent Wittmeier
Executive Communications
Communications and Engagement
780-220-3328
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