Patrols in Parks and on Cycling Trails (Details)

Name of province/ territory:

Quebec

City/ Region:

Blainville

Description of Initiative:

Preventive cycle patrols in green spaces and on cycling trails by police cadets.

Initiative Key Objectives:

This initiative has several objectives:

  • maintain a sense of security in parks;
  • promote awareness and crime prevention among users of parks and trails; and
  • take targeted action to address identified problems.

Section Responsible for Implementation:

Youth outreach section in cooperation with other sections of the Service.

Key Contact:

André Gagné
andre.gagne@ville.blainville.qc.ca

Groups/ Agencies/ Key Partners Involved:

  • community groups
  • police association or union
  • other government departments/agencies

Level of Involvement (consultative - information sharing) and/or cooperative - direct involvement):

Cooperative

Amount of Time Initiative has been in Place:

Since 2006.

Reason for Undertaking the Initiative:

This initiative was undertaken to maintain residents’ sense of security when using their green spaces and cycling trails.

Resources Required to Implement this Initiative:

One coordinator, 10 cadets and equipment: total budget of approximately $90,000.

Method of Implementation:

Municipal government effort in cooperation with the police service to achieve visibility in parks throughout Blainville.

Key Outcomes of the Initiative:

The initiative has had several outcomes:

  • residents’ sense of security maintained;
  • increase in arrests for assorted criminal offences and bylaw infractions;
  • better police presence throughout the city;
  • greater effectiveness in enforcing municipal bylaws; and
  • improved work and relations with community organizations.

Availability of a Communication Strategy:

Yes

Key Messages used to Publicize the Initiative:

  • News releases issued to local media.
  • Project promoted in the publication "Blainville en couleurs" distributed to all Blainville households.

Forms of Evaluation by which the Initiative will be Assessed:

  • quantitative
  • qualitative
  • social return on investment

Evaluation Completed or Community Feedback Received:

No

Summary of the Outcomes:

Positive comments from residents regarding sense of security.

Summary of the Performance Measure Data Collected:

N/A

Economics of Policing Pillars:

Further Details:

Fewer police responses in parks (calls from members of the public).

Additional Comments or Suggestions:

Project repeated annually since 2006.

Record Entry Date:

2013-08-01

Date modified: