THUNDER BAY – Amy Siciliano is the Co-ordinator for the Crime Prevention Council in Thunder Bay. The CPC is tasked with reporting to City Council on the issue of community safety in Thunder Bay.
Currently Siciliano is in the midst of a Crime and Disorder Audit to develop a comprehensive safety plan for the city. “The audit is a six month process, which I started in the new year. The audit is designed to generate knowledge about the incidence and prevalence of crime-related issues so that the Crime Prevention Council can support and develop evidence-based policies and programs that will work to not only reduce crime, but also reduce the fears, misperceptions and stereotypes about crime in the city,” shares Siciliano.
The audit incorporates consultation with the broader community and organizations and agencies involved in community safety and prevention.
The first stage results will be presented to the Crime Prevention Council in March.
Since starting last October, the returning Thunder Bay resident has been busy. The inaugural Crime Prevention Council has been established .The Council comprises 32 people representing various sectors in the city, as well as City Council, citizen and youth representatives.
“At the December meeting we also struck a youth working group to investigate issues of public safety and youth-related crime, and perceptions of crime. City Council has asked the Crime Prevention Council to provide feedback on youth curfews and this working group is developing strategies to get feedback from various youth populations including homeless and street-involved youth, and high school students among others on this issue”.
One of the issues raised in Thunder Bay in recent months has been the topic of a curfew.
This is another area where Siciliano is focusing attention, “I am conducting a literature review of existing research on youth curfews, and consulting with other municipalities, criminologists and members of the Crime Prevention Council. These data will be analysed and written up in a preliminary report presented to the Crime Prevention Council in March,” stated Siciliano.
The Crime Prevention Council is continuing its very important work in our community, the next meeting is scheduled for Feb 2nd, 4-6pm in the McNaughton Room at City Hall.
“We will be hearing from the Drug Strategy as well as from our City Manager on short and long term proposals to address the housing crisis for individuals with substance addictions,” commented Sicliano.
The creation of the Crime Prevention Council has come in response by City Council to concerns in Thunder Bay over crime.
