For Immediate Release: June 11, 2009

(Toronto, ON) – Ottawa Police Service and the community of Vanier  have won this year’s 2009 Community Mobilization Award from the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) for the Vanier, Taking Back its’ Streets Program.

This award is granted to a community or community agency that works with a police agency in mobilizing resources to address a particular issue. It recognizes a community that has exhibited exemplary on-going efforts designed to make their neighbourhood a safer, more secure place to live.

“Crime isn’t just a law enforcement problem. It’s an affront to the people that live, work, and play in a community,” said OACP President Chief Daniel Parkinson. “I congratulate Ottawa police and the residents of Vanier for coming together to make this exception program a huge success.”

Vanier, Taking Back its’ Streets addressed a general sense of hopelessness in the Ottawa community of Vanier, where residents and businesses needed to better report crime or suspicious activity. Following community consultations, a number of initiatives were launched, including:

• A street level safety patrol by then local BIA, Quartier Vanier Merchants Association, to work with Ottawa Police Service,
  
• A new street level activities by the BIA to animate and create positive energy on the street,
  
• A new Street Team establishment by Ottawa Police Service to work closely and respond to resident and merchant calls and requests, and
  
• Local media outreach initiatives which helped make the issues known, and what actions were being done to improve Vanier.

“This award shows us all that when the community, community groups, and businesses come together with the police, we can create a sense of awareness, understanding, support, and leadership needed to have a positive impact on crime and safety.” said Ottawa Police Service Chief Vern White.

The OACP Community Mobilization Award is sponsored by Accident Support Services International (www.accsupport.com).

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