less law, more order: shifting debate from tough/too tough to stop victimization and save taxes...

Less Law, More Order:Shifting debate from tough/too tough to

stop victimization and save taxes

Irvin Waller,

Director, Institute for Prevention of Crime, University of Ottawa, Canada

[email protected]

www.irvinwaller.org

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.irvinwaller.org/

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Key Messages

• Debate on tough/too tough is misguided because it does not solve real problem of violence

• Canada is not doing enough to take years of accumulated research and knowledge on crime prevention and use it to protect Canadians.

• Relying only on criminal justice is not enough to keep us safe from crime as half a million victims of sexual assaults and half a million break-ins show

• Canadians believe in crime prevention but we need supports and resources to build a safer Canada.

Waller (2006) Less Law, More Order

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Introduction:Truth and Sense, Not Giuliani

• Life better, crime persistent• Tough on criminals costs $200 billion . US

taxpayer pays twice Canadian for … one in four prisoners in world are in USA - delivers little at high price

• Giuliani´s zero tolerance (compstat) more timing than real

• Need for popular book to empower voters and policy makers– Make criminological conclusions accessible– Spell out policy implications


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Less Law, More OrderThe Truth about Reducing Crime

Irvin Waller

www.lesslawmoreorder.com uottawa.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7018489417

Evidence explained to voter on costs of law and order, what has worked, and how

to reduce victimization

http://uottawa.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7018489417


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Violent Crime Recorded by New York Police Department 1980-2000


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Chapter ITough on Crime, Tough on Us

– Crime is tough on many• Crime is still real risk to victims – up a lot then down a

fair bit

– Tough on victims• Victims often abandon CJS• Victimizing victims and more

– Tough on taxpayers• More police, more courts and much more prisons• Even with crime down, it costs us all

– Tough to get results– Tough on causes is tougher on crime

Statistics Canada: Victimization - 2004

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The latest victimization survey by Statistics Canada estimates that in 2004:

• 1 in 4 Canadians were the victims of at least one crime;

• nearly half a million – women were sexually assaulted;– households experienced a break-in or an

attempted break-in; and– households experienced a motor vehicle theft

or theft of vehicle parts.


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10

www.prevention-crime.ca

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Proportion of victimizations that are reported to police, cleared by charge,and where the offender is found

guilty, Canada 2004

7%17% 7% 4% 65%

Offender found guilty

A ll C riminal C odeincidents cleared by

charge

R eported to police

V ictimization 100%

Some crimes have a much higher clearance rate than others - 85% of homicides are solved by police (Dauvergne & Li, 2006).

Offenders who commit multiple, serious crimes are more likely to be convicted than other offenders, and more likely to have multiple convictions (Home Office, 2007).

Assault

Sexual Assault

Break and enter

RobberyOther property offences

33%

7%

4%


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What works to reduce victimization:Prestigeous agencies have reviewed accumulation

of meta-analyses of evaluations• United Nations

– World Health Organization, 2002, 2004– UN Guidelines on Crime Prevention, 1996, 2002– Habitat – Safer Cities, 1996-

• Authoritative Sources– National Research Council, 1998-2005 (USA) – British Inspectorate of Police, 1998 (UK)– Home Office and Treasury, 1997 (UK)– Report to US Congress, 1997 (USA)– Safety and Security, 1997 (South Africa)– Audit Commission, 1996 (UK)


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Chapter 2Pay to Keep Kids from Crime,

Not behind Bars– Family and School Experiences that

Influence Risk of Offending• Why offend persistently – longitudinal studies

– Invest in Parenting and Child Development• Early childhood• Adolescents – mentor, stay in school, YIP, ….

– Invest in Helping Kids to Succeed with Mentors, School, and College

– Invest in Making Schools Safe for Kids– Invest in Keeping Youth in Community– Legislate an Office to Stop Misspending on

Youth at Risk


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Make youth flourish rather than crime


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Large scale data sets confirm social, situational and location of crime

• 5% of youth account for 55% of offences– Longitudinal studies confirm 5% risk factors such

as relative poverty, ineffective parenting and dropping out of school

• 4% of victims account for 44% of victimisation– Victimisation studies confirm 4% risk life routines

such as not guarding goods, vulnerable to opportunity, close to offenders

• Hot spot locations for drugs and other offences– Police statistics confirm that hotspots

concentrate offenders and victims geographically

Hussein 2006

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Focus on risk factorsFamilyNeglectAbuse

ConflictLow supervisionLack of bonding

FamilyNeglectAbuse

ConflictLow supervisionLack of bonding

IndividualSubstance misuse

Low motivationAggressiveness

Poor self managementSocial skills deficits

IndividualSubstance misuse

Low motivationAggressiveness

Poor self managementSocial skills deficits

SchoolAcademic failure

TruancyDropping outLow interest

Early misbehaviour

SchoolAcademic failure

TruancyDropping outLow interest

Early misbehaviour

NeighbourhoodDisorganisationExtreme povertyDrugs and guns

Poor living conditionsLow social capital

NeighbourhoodDisorganisationExtreme povertyDrugs and guns

Poor living conditionsLow social capital

PeerDelinquent friendsGang membership

AlienationLack of pro-social

models

PeerDelinquent friendsGang membership

AlienationLack of pro-social

models


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Proven strategies for reducing crime Quantum Opportunities Program

1. Analysis that violence correlated to high school drop out in disadvantaged teens

2. Plan doable intervention school and academic3. Implement quality controlled solution

after school activities: tutoring, computer skills training, event planning, volunteering, college/employment planning, etc.

small remuneration for participation (~$1/hr) match money earned towards college fund

4. Evaluate Impacts (Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) in 5 US cities) Reduced high school dropout by 27% Increased attendance at post-secondary

education by 26% Reduced youth arrests by 71% over 4 years


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Proven strategies for reducing crime Youth Inclusion Programme

1. Analysis that excluded youth likely persistent offenders2. Plan to multiply proven pilot project by Youth Justice Board3. Implement in 72 high crime & deprived estates in England &

Wales Identify 50 most at-risk youth (13-16yr) living in high-crime

n’hoods Provide them with >5 hrs/wk of positive programming:

mentoring, sports and recreation, skills training in literacy, anger management, dealing with gangs and drugs, etc.

4. Evaluate impacts Reduced school expulsions by 27% Reduced youth arrests by 65% Reduced overall crime in n’hoods by 16% to 27%


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Proven strategies for reducing crimeHome Visits by Public Health Nurses

1. Analyse literature2. Plan solution3. Implement RCT in Elmira (NY) and Memphis (TN):

Target at-risk families (i.e., marginalized teen mothers) with newborns and toddlers

Provide continued prenatal care, parent education, training and support

Improve access to family, local services and opportunities

4. Evaluate impacts• Reduced verified cases of child abuse and

neglect by 80% through to age 15• Reduced youth arrests by 66% through to age

15• Reduced runaways by 60% through to age 15


20Audit Commission


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What works to reduce victimization: An ounce for prevention equals a pound for mass

incarceration


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Chapter 3Outlaw Violence, Not Men

• Outlaw Violence against Women• Outlaw Violent Conflict Resolution• Outlaw Handguns• Outlaw Destructive Driving• Outlaw Alcohol Abuse• Outlaw Drug Wars• Outlaw Death Penalty to Stop Killing


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World report on violence and health

World report on violence and health

www.prevention-crime.ca

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A comparison:Fourth R & Roots of Empathy

Fourth R Roots of Empathy

Target Population

Grade 9 and 10 students in health class. Kindergarten to grade 8 students.

Intended Outcomes

Developing healthy relationships, social skills and capacity among youth through a harm reduction approach targeting multiple forms of violence.

Build levels of empathy to produce more

respectful and caring relationships; to reduce

levels of bullying and aggression; and to

break the cycle of violence and poor parenting.

Key Elements

Teaching healthy relationship skills through core curriculum units.

Involves students, the school, parents and the larger community.

Meets Ministry of Education Learning Expectations; first implemented in Thames Valley District School Board in London Ontario

Classroom visitations with a neighbourhood infant and parent to learn from and interact with a baby to promote emotional literacy.

Endorsed by ON Public School Boards Association and Curriculum Services Canada, but is not an official part of curriculum.

Evaluation Short term findings include reported healthier

behaviours and attitudes.

Longer term, randomized control trial results expected 2007.

Short term findings include increased emotional and social understanding, and reduced levels of bullying and aggression.

Longitudinal evaluation to be completed in 2007.


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What works to reduce victimizationPartnerships recommended internationally -

Violence against womenPreventing violence against women by investing in

promising strategies and evaluating outcomes• Tackling risk factors in school-aged youth, for example by:

– Addressing bullying in school and dating and peer violence by promoting healthy relationships

– The Fourth R and Roots of Empathy• Integrated multi-agency response involving social services,

law enforcement, commuity agencies and courts– A strong coordinated community response enhances the

ability of the CJS to respond effectively– One-stop centres

• High-level leadership and commitment– National leadership – White ribbon campaign– Strong societal message endorsing anti-violence norms,

expands public awareness


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Chapter 4Watch Out for Your Own

• Watching with neighbors– Neighborhood watch

• Watching for your own– Private security, alarms or neighbors

• Watching on cameras– CCTV

• Watching with cell phones• Watching out for opportunity


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Problem oriented partnerships Local government: Seattle (1972-76)

Mayor established Law and Justice Planning Office1. Analysis– analysed crime, victimization and public opinion data– presented plan to City council who approved priorities

on burglaries, sexual assaults, and store robberies– analyzed risk factors causing each priority2. Plan

– implemented preventive solutions for each3. Solution

• Burglary targeted by paid workers• Lived-in look plus, neighbhours supporting …

4. Outcomes were scientifically evaluated• large reductions (50% plus in RCT)


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Chapter 5Police Smarter, Not More

• Putting Police Work on Trial• Smarter Policing, Not More, Gave Marginal

Returns in New York• Collaboration and Smarter Policing – Probable

Cause for Boston Drop• Community Policing Reduces Disorder Not

Volume of Crime in Chicago


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Problem oriented partnerships: Boston Strategy to Prevent Youth Violence

1. Analysis by Boston PD, Kennedy and School of Public Health (Harvard U)

2. Plan Loose partnership with firm action on causes and

enforcement3. Solutions

Conduct crackdowns to target youth and gangs that persist in violence.

Reduce the availability of firearms and disrupt gun markets

Communicate a strong message from families and authorities that gun-related violence is unacceptable and dangerous

Provide adult education, job training and job opportunities

4. Results– 71% reduction in homicides by youth aged 24 and

under within 12 months– 70% reduction in gun assaults for all ages (compared to

the annual average during the 5 years prior

#29


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Problem oriented partnershipsChicago’s Alternative Policing Strategy1. Analysis locally

monthly meetings; projects; civilian outreach staff; court advocacy

2. Plan developed by police and neighbhors Organizational decentralization: smaller districts & beats

for accountability

3. Solutions Determined locally but combination of enforcement and

community action

4. Outcomes - 5 pilot districts after 18 months Recorded robbery down 58%, larger than other US cities Public confidence in police better for ethnic minorities Reduced car theft, street crime, gangs & drugs, decay,

graffiti Fear of crime down 20% among highest fear groups


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Chapter 6Guarantee Justice and

Support for Crime Victims

• Crime is harmful to victims, justice is recognizing it

• No justice without crime victims• Doing justice to support victims• Just reparation for victims• Restorative Justice for Victims• How will Victims get Justice

– The Right to be Heard


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Expert organizations propose multi-sector strategy (governance) of crime prevention

1. Safety Diagnosis•Crime challenges•Risk factors•Community assets

2. Action Plan

•Set clear priorities•Strategic action on risk factors

3. Implementation

•Coordination•Setting targets

4. Evaluation

•Process achievements•Evidence of crime reduction

*Leadership

* Partners: top officials from schools, housing, public health, social service, police and so on

* Guided by proven knowledge about risk factors

* Community engagement

* Increase sustained investment in prevention


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Crime and Disorder Act (England and Wales)

• Started in 1998• 3 year cycle• Examples on Internet of first and second cycles

showing– safety audits– crime reduction plans

• Usually include priorities and reduction targets• Often include comparisons with other local

government areas


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Chapter 7Make Cities Tough on Causes

• U.S. Mayors call for Cities to be Tough on Causes– International movement of Mayors – Habitat and so on

• Cities must Sustain Action on Causes– Bogotá

• Cities Diagnose Causes and Plan Solutions– International consensus that multiple causes require integrated solutions

involving multiple sectors• Office to Prevent Crime to Focus Cities on Risk Factors

– Sustained solutions that target risk factors and priority neighborhoods


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A detailed breakdown of the targets for each Core Priority Theme Group is contained in an Action Plan published separately. The Action Plan accompanies Birmingham Community Safety Partnership's Strategy for 2005-2008 and will be updated during the course of the Strategy's implementation.

http://www.birmingham-csp.org.uk/crimeanddisorder/docsfolder/action.pdf

http://www.birmingham-csp.org.uk/crimeanddisorder/docsfolder/action.pdf

http://www.birmingham-csp.org.uk/crimeanddisorder/docsfolder/strategy.pdf

http://www.birmingham-csp.org.uk/crimeanddisorder/docsfolder/psa2011_ytb01_DLM_enu_full.exe


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Communities that Care(Projects in some States in the USA and some in

other countries)

1. Analyse risk factors2. Selecting the most effective actions to promote

healthy youth development (silent on governance strategy for delivery)– Evidence based analysis of risk factors using surveys of

youth– Use of a “menu” of proven best practices to address

specific risk and protective needs3. Implement4. Evaluations show promising results in reducing risk

factors, improving youth development, and some reduction in drug use and delinquent behaviour (especially in communities that have the support and infrastructure to sustain the framework)


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Chapter 8Shift from ¨Pay for Law¨

to ¨Invest in Order¨

• Actions to Prevent Crime Based on Truth– Invest in Youth in the Community– Stop Violence against Women and Children– Help Neighbors Watch and Design to

Reduce Crime– Tackle Risk Factors with both Prevention

and Enforcement– Do Justice to Support for Victims


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Chapter 8Shift from ¨Pay for Law¨

to ¨Invest in Order¨

• Shift Requires Skill, Independence, and Planned Change

• Crime Bill for Office for Crime Prevention– National and Statewide Plans to Shift from

Reaction to Prevention– Shift 10 percent from Law and Order to Organize

for Prevention and Victim Support– Support Local Government Leadership to Deliver

Crime Prevention– Develop and Train Crime Prevention Professionals– Establish Data on Risk Factors, Victimization and

Location


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World Health Organization (2004) Implementation Guide

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Action plan to get resultsWorld Report on Health and Violence:

1. Data – – Victimization surveys (see Argentina), mapping of crime and social data -

More on family violence – More on surveys of youth offending2. Researching violence (add training and education)

– Major studies - More on family and coaching/training3. Primary prevention (using what works - secondary prevention)

– Early childhood, YIP, Quantum, problem oriented partnerships, designing out crime, limiting guns and alcohol

4. Social and gender equality– 4th R, school priorities, family law, police-court - …

5. Support for victims– Victim assistance, good samaritan – More norms/training for police and

lawyers, all women´s police stations – victim rights in court6. National plan of action (add local government plans)

– local government CS – More crime reduction agency, mainstream into police, schools …


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Action plan to get resultsUN Guidelines for Crime Prevention

– Crimes can be prevented without any overall increase in costs and with substantial collateral benefits

• Governments at all levels are responsible to:– Establish centres to spearhead and sustain crime

prevention– Organize schools, families, policing, justice,

private sector and others to tackle the multiple causes of crime – problem solving strategy

– Use proven strategies– Invest in training for prevention workers– Invest in data– Engage the public

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Federal/Provincial/Municipal Initiatives

Federal• National Crime Prevention Centre (PSEPC)Provincial• Quebec Ministry of Public Safety• Ontario Youth Challenge and Opportunities fund • Manitoba car theft reduction strategy• Alberta and BC developing Integrated Crime Prevention StrategyMunicipal (eg)• SafeEdmonton• Toronto Safer City Strategy• Waterloo Region Violence Prevention Plan (and Community Safety

Partnership)


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The issue is not to choose between investing more or less in:

• general policies, such as education, housing and families, that improve the well being and likely contribute to less crime, or

• standard law enforcement and criminal justice that responds to 911 calls, catches and convicts offenders, and expects to change offenders’ future behaviour through incapacitation or rehabilitation.

IPC (2007) Report for Alberta Task Force on Crime Prevention and Community Safety

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1. Action Plan for Safer Alberta:Crime reduction and safe

ommunities• Alberta would develop and implement an action plan

to reduce victimizations, based on a three year cycle that builds on the following steps:1. Analyse the distribution and causes of crime across the

province, including gaps in services – privilege mapping2. Involve key sectors, such as education, youth services,

housing and law enforcement, in identifying joint milestones, priorities and measurable goals such as reductions in victimization and fear;

3. Develop and sustain promising pre-crime prevention programs that are targeted to risk factors associated with victimization and offending;

4. Assess changes in social development and other primary prevention policies in order to recommend improvements

5. Monitor and evaluate progress in achievement of milestones and goals.


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2. Safer citiesMunicipal safety and crime reduction

strategies

• establish a crime prevention board or coalition involving sectors such as education, health, housing, child protection and policing

• coordinate the development and implementation of a strategic planning process that analyses local crime problems, develops solutions, implements programs and evaluates progress

• coordinate the implementation of effective local solutions, including guiding federal and provincial programs

• encourage local partnerships to solve crime problems


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3. Prevention and Police Partnerships capable and accountable for solving crime

problems• Sustain and multiply partnerships taking

responsibility for solving crime problems, such as those focusing on:– Violence against women and children– Aboriginal populations in both urban and isolated areas– High crime neighbourhoods– High volume property crimes such as break-ins and car

theft– Alcohol and drug abuse

• Strengthen the capacity of these partnerships to:– Analyse the evidence on crime problems in order to solve

them – Use a combination of prevention, policing and citizen

engagement– Evaluate outcomes


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4.Multiply what workspromising programs that target

factors leading to crime• Multiply programs that target at-risk situations and

that have been proven to prevent crime, such as those that:– Provide enriched services to youth at risk of social

problems by increasing their inclusion, involvement in pro-social activities and job training

– Increase the training given to youth to use non-violent ways of resolving conflicts (through programs such as the ‘Fourth R’ and ‘Roots of Empathy’) and strengthen their life skills and chances of graduating from school

– Enhance support (such as enriched home visiting) to disadvantaged mothers who are at risk of not providing consistent caring for their young children;


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5. Sustaining safe communities and crime reduction

• Institutionalise political leadership• Establish a small crime prevention responsibility

centre– With an advisory board– With a secretariat with links to the spectrum of ministries

• Ensure sustained funds to:– Support innovation and maintenance of municipal

strategies, partnerships, and targeted programs– Develop better training, standards and data (victimization,

integrated and mapped crime and social data, surveys of youth offending),

• Create legislation to maintain the responsibility centre and its activities at the highest level of government.


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These recommendations should achieve

• Reductions in victimization in targeted areas over a two to four year time period with broader reductions over a ten year period.

• These strategies provide sustained benefits by not only reducing crime and violence but also investing in young people, women and neighbourhoods to multiply the benefits beyond less crime and fear.


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Alberta Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force: Prevention –

RecommendationsGovernment response to accept in principle

16. Implement targeted pilot projects to provide comprehensive community-based services to at-risk youth and their families.

17. Establish a Family Source within the provincial government to provide a central source for information, resources, and community connections.

20. Identify and map high crime areas and support pilot projects targeted at improving safety in those “hot spots”. Accepted

22. Take targeted action to increase the percentage of crimes that are reported.

23. Establish an ongoing mechanism for municipalities to provide input into provincial policing priorities.

24. Encourage all municipalities to develop and implement a safe communities strategy.


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Alberta Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force: Prevention –

RecommendationsGovernment response accepted in principle

26. Provide three-year provincial funding for community-based social agencies with proven outcomes.

27. Adapt provincial funding formulas and criteria to reflect the impact and needs of “shadow” populations.Further Study Needed

28. Expand the current tax deduction for charitable contributions to include time spent on volunteer activities. Further Study Needed

29. Partner with Alberta’s First Nations and the federal government to jointly develop pilot projects designed to build safer communities, reduce crime and address the needs of at-risk community members.

30. Fully implement the recommendations of Alberta’s Commission on Learning regarding Aboriginal education and expand initiatives aimed at improving high school completion rates for Aboriginal students.Accept

31. Establish a comprehensive, longer-term Alberta crime reduction and prevention strategy coordinated and supported by a dedicated responsibility centre within the provincial government.Accept

Building a Safer Canada: First Report of National Working

Group

Analysis, Recommendations and next steps for CPO

Building Safer Canada - National Working Group

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What is the National Working Group?

• A pan-Canadian group of national associations and experts– Municipalities (FCM)– Chiefs of Police (CACP)– Victims of Crime (CAVA)– Offenders (JHS)– Practitioners - City of Toronto, Waterloo Region– Academics

• To provide independent but evidence based perspective on ways to make Canada safer.

• Organized and led by Institute for the Prevention of Crime as part of contribution agreement with National Crime Prevention Centre


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What led to National Working Group?• Agenda for Safer Canada (2003)

– National Policy Forum on crime prevention in Waterloo Region (• Less Law, More Order: The Truth about Reducing

Crime (later published in 2006)– limits of US use of zero tolerance and hyperincarceration– what works to reduce youth violence, violence against women

and how to make policing smarter– how to reduce crime for less

• Project with National Crime Prevention Centre – Harnessing knowledge to prevent crime

• Interest in independent evidence based Institute– Minister of Public Safety and University of Ottawa announced

Institute for Prevention of Crime (fall 2006)– www.prevention-crime.ca provides crime trends, examples of

what works, and governance strategies for Canada

http://www.prevention-crime.ca/


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National Working Group is one of 3 components of Harnessing knowledge for crime prevention project

funded by NCPC

1. National Working Group• Developing consensus on actionable

recommendations

2. Municipal Network• Community safety managers from major

municipalities• Share best practice to reduce crime

3. Knowledge Review• State of the art reviews of most recent knowledge in

crime prevention

Statistics Canada, General Social Survey, 2004

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What is crime challenge facing Canada?

• 1 in 4 Canadians were the victims of crimes such as thefts, vandalism, and assaults annually- and approximately 40% of these were victimized more than once.

• Close to half a million women were sexually assaulted and over half a million households experienced a break-in or an attempted break-in. 2 million persons were victims of physical assault

• Only 30% of victims report crime to police in Ontario – 8% of sexual assault victims

Department of Justice Canada, 2003; Ekos (2004)

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What is spent and what do Canadians want?

• Canada spends more than $13 billion each year on police, corrections and other criminal justice services.

• Impact on crime victims equivalent to $50 billion • Two out of every three Canadians believe their

provincial government should place crime prevention among the top five priorities, along with health care, education, child poverty, and the environment.

Less Law, More Order

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Who has called for collaborative, evidence based crime prevention

• World Health Organization calls for:– National Action Plan– Use of indicators of results (eg victimization surveys)– Investment in what works

• United Nations calls for– Evidence based strategies– Responsibility centres to lead on diagnosis and

planning– Multi-sectoral collaboration and public engagement

• Habitat calls for– Diagnosis, plan, implementation, evaluation and

responsibility centres for cities

Less Law, More Order

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What are examples of effective prevention?

• Youth Inclusion Programs (UK) reduced youth arrests by 65% and overall crime in neighbourhoods by up to 27% when they were implemented in 110 of the most deprived and high crime areas.

• The Fourth R curriculum (Ontario) is a school curriculum -based program designed to prevent bullying, dating violence and peer violence which has already shown significant reductions in aggressive behaviour towards peers.

• Problem solving partnerships (Boston), where smart policing (guided by university research) was combined with families and service agencies –- to address youth carrying illegal guns, demonstrated a 71% reduction in homicides committed by youth within two years.

Less Law, More Order; Alberta Task Force

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What are leading examples of better governance of crime reduction

• Ontario has municipal strategies in– Waterloo Region, Toronto, Ottawa

• England and Wales has:– Youth Justice Board that has demonstrated the

prevention of youth crime in 72 priority zones– Every municipality has a strategic plan based on

diagnosis of crime problems, plan and evaluation with targets (42% reduction in victimization over 10 years from this and other factors)

• Alberta has– $470 million (over 3 years) to be invested in

combination of tough on persistent offenders and tackling risk factors

Institute for the Prevention of Crime - National Working Group

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Status of Crime Prevention in CanadaSome tentative conclusions

1. Many projects and policies but not part of action plan2. Many good social development policies that keep

crime lower but not that much lower than US3. Few focused on concentrations that present high risk

to crime4. Not known which are evidence based5. Some partnerships exist around violence against

women but not promoting prevention as successfully as needed

6. Some local neighborhood partnerships use problem solving but many looking for problem solving tools

7. Some only project funded

IPC (2006) Building a Safer Canada

63

Building a Safer Canada by improving our knowledge of what works and our capacity to apply this knowledge in practice.ELEMENTSOF SUCCESS

CURRENT SITUATION GAPS RECOMMENDATIONS

Collaboration andproblem-solving

partnerships

Federal/provincial/territorial collaboration on crime preventionIncreasing support from within criminal justice system, especially from the police and municipal governmentsResistance to diverting resources from reactive to preventive approaches

No clear and measurable vision of community safetyNo national framework to guide work or to establish inter-sectoral roles and responsibilitiesTension between central authority and local prioritiesHard to identify the leaders or spokespersons

A vision of the contribution of prevention to well-beingA National Framework for collaborationA ten-year action planPermanent and adequately funded responsibility centres at all orders of government

Concentrate investments on

highest needs

Recent National Crime Prevention Centre emphasis on evidence-led focused actionSome important success storiesDebates over appropriate indicatorsLack of required data

Success stories not well-knownDifficult to elicit a clear interest in preventionInsufficient access to user-friendly data

Identify clear and measurable indicators to serve as benchmarks for diagnoses and evaluationsAssure user-friendly access to required dataInvest in training and technical assistance

Develop and sustaincommunity capacity

Recognition that communities need the tools to do the jobHighest needs communities feel left outSpecial requirements of First Nations

Central orders of government faster to download responsibilities than resources - communities often do what they can instead of what they should

Higher levels of sustainable resourcesGreater investment in research and development in prevention in order to assure a better evidence base for decisionsImproved technical assistance to practitioners through the design and delivery of targeted training initiatives

Adequate and sustained supports and resources

National Crime Prevention Centre for federal fundingProvincial initiatives by Nova Scotia, Québec, Alberta and British ColumbiaDomestic and partner violence initiatives in some jurisdictionsEmergence of municipal responsibility centres, but few are adequately funded

Over-reliance on short-term project-based fundingLittle sign of growth, vulnerability to cutsLittle indication of adequate and sustained support in provinces and territoriesMunicipalities have responsibilities, but not the tools

More resources and supports to problem-solving partnershipsImplement the Horner Commission recommendation to invest the equivalent of 5% of justice spending in preventionMore attention to the challenge of sustaining success

Public engagementBroad public support for preventionLess indication of actual political or practical engagement

Little sense of how to better educate public (link message, media and audience)Must address the political role of crime

Greater investment in public education initiatives More research on how to reach different types of audiences in the most effective manner


64

NWG recommended an action plan to reduce crime and violence in Canada:

1. A national framework and action plan to reduce crime, using what has been successful

2. Federal, provincial and municipal responsibility centres to guide investment to tackle concentrations of risk factors before they result in offending and victimization

3. Better research and development, technical assistance, training and data (e.g. victimization surveys) to guide Canadian initiatives in crime prevention and reduction

4. Adequate and sustained investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to support municipal and community action

5. Improved information for and engagement of the public in crime prevention

Institute for the Prevention of Crime

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Immediate Endorsements

• “The recommendations are consistent with the direction of the CACP and our partners in the Coalition on Community Safety, Health and Well-being. We hope governments listen.” Steven Chabot, President of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

• “FCM supports community-based approaches to crime prevention. But while communities are the cornerstone of effective crime prevention, we need long-term federal funding and coordination to create and sustain a national approach.” Winnipeg Councillor Gord Steeves, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)

Institute for Prevention of Crime

66

What are next steps?

• Documents– Municipal Network report on Safer Cities in Canada– Declaration to be endorsed by City Councils calling

for action– Leaflet on Building Safer Canada and Safer Cities

• McMurtry-Curling Task Force on Youth Violence• Calls for Action

– Chair of Waterloo Region and Mayor of Kitchener– Mayor of Toronto– Big City Mayors´ Caucus– Federation of Canadian Municipalities

prevention-crime.ca; lesslawmoreorder.com

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What can JHS do?

1. endorse the recommendations of the Institute for the Prevention of Crime’s report “Building a Safer Canada: First Report of the National Working Group on Crime Prevention

2. Take the necessary actions to call on all orders of government to establish the infrastructure and provide sustained funding to implement these recommendations”.

3. Spread the word through Less Law, More Order

less law, more order: shifting debate from tough/too tough to stop victimization and save taxes...

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