Calgary approves strategy to tackle issues facing community safety

Calgary city council has approved a strategy to tackle homelessness, domestic violence, poverty and other issues.

Calgary city council has approved Safer Together, a community safety and well-being plan for the city.

Safer Together focuses on coordinating responses to homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, and social isolation through a balance of preventative programs and targeted enforcement.

It passed Wednesday in council with a vote of 10-4.

The plan outlines five priorities, which include:

• create communities where everyone belongs;
• enhance safety where people live, work and play;
• build supports for wellbeing;
• meet housing needs; and
• foster financial security.

In a release, Kay Coi, public safety lead for the City of Calgary said, “Community safety is about more than responding to incidents – it is about creating the conditions for people and communities to thrive."

“Safer Together helps us align our efforts, focus on prevention and make better use of the work already happening across the city to support Calgarians now and into the future.”

The plan includes collaborative actions that bring partners together to respond to complex situations but lacks specifics on how the city plans to get there, or how much it will cost.

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Ward 14 Coun. Landon Johnston, who voted against the plan, posted to social media calling it “extremely disturbing”. His post went on to read, “We have no idea how much it is going to cost or how it is going to be implemented but it was approved anyway.”

Following council’s approval, discussions are expected to take place with partners and community agencies to determine next steps.

Administration is expected to report back to council in July with an update on implementation, key performance measures, and budget details.