Safety and Security: Strathcona Roam

Live In Strathcona

Photo by Keith

Last year the Strathcona Residents Association initiated Strathcona Roam, a program aimed towards neighborhood improvement through on-street monitoring achieved through the generous time of the many volunteers who participate.

Strathcona Residents Association organized resident volunteers, approximately 22 in all, to walk the Stratchona streets creating a presence that discourages illicit activity, and enables increased reporting of activity to the policing centre and supporting neighborhood statistics. Naturally, some areas of the neighborhood are of particular concern and Roam's presence is beginning to show a positive impact.

All incidents are reported to the police and policing community centre. The reporting of crime, suspicious activity, drug deals, muggings, etc., all feed the statistics of the Strathcona neighborhood to the police. Often, residents might suppose that reporting anything to the police is futile as past instances resulted in no police presence after something is reported. Failure to report, however, keeps the police presence low, while reporting all suspicious incidents can result in an increased Strathcona police presence.

So what's the key? The statistics the police keep shift the budgets and assignments from year-to-year and quarter-to-quarter. So the police might not be able to show up when a crime is reported, but the fact that the report is made will boost the numbers that will boost the chance of increasing police patrols in the future. Each step we make together is a positive step.

Volunteering for Roam is much appreciated and the safety of the volunteers is a primary concern. Special training was provided by the Chinese Community Policing Centre and their support and active interest in Strathcona is valuably appreciated. If you would like to volunteer for Roam, you can email the Chinese Community Policing Centre to get more information. Remember to specify that your interest is Strathcona Roam.