The Importance of Reporting Crime

Did you know that a substantial amount of crime isn’t reported to police?

There are many reasons that people choose not to report a criminal offence. They may feel that it is too minor in nature or that nothing can or will be done. They may feel that it’s not worth the time or effort or that police have more important things to do.

The Calgary Police Service pays close attention to reported crime statistics within communities and across areas of the city. In fact, statistical analysis can be a driving force behind how our Service chooses where and how to deploy resources.

Analysis of reported crime allows police to identify ‘hot spots’ of activity and also helps to measure and pinpoint emerging crime trends. A lack of accurate data makes identification of these locations difficult and unreliable.

So-called ‘minor’ crimes such as car-prowling (theft from vehicles), vandalism and other property related crime can be an indicator of a larger problem in a community. An increase in these types of crimes can indicate that an offender has moved into an area, that additional police resources are needed, or that something else has changed within the community. Becoming aware of each of these factors is important for police to move forward in addressing community concerns.

How to report a non-emergency crime

The emergence of technology has made crime reporting much easier and faster, and allows police to obtain an up-to-date glimpse of what is going on in the community.

-          Online – www.calgarypolice.ca

-          By phone – 403-266-1234 (police non-emergency line)

-          Walk-in to your local District office

If there is an ongoing situation within your community, you also have the option of contacting your area Community Resource Officer (CRO) through your local District office to make them aware.

How else can you help?

-          Encourage your family, friends and neighbours to report crime or suspicious activity within your community.

-          Be aware of your surroundings. If something or someone seems out of place, there is likely a good reason for this. Report any suspicious behaviour to the police.

-          Lock it up! Don’t provide offenders with any opportunity – secure your vehicle, garage and home (including closing windows when you are away and at night).

Cold-Weather Vehicle Theft

Vehicle theft is an ongoing concern within the city of Calgary. Each year, as the weather cools, the Calgary Police Service receives an increase in stolen vehicle thefts, targeting unlocked vehicles left running (warming up). With this in mind, please consider:

What can you do to prevent vehicle theft?

 ·         Do not leave a vehicle running with the keys in the ignition for any length of time, even with the doors locked. ·         Never hide a second key in or around the vehicle.·         Always close the windows, lock the doors and pocket the key.·         Park in well-lit and well-traveled areas.·         Take valuables with you or hide them out of sight.·         Use anti- theft measures such as a steering wheel lock, a vehicle immobilizer system or an alarm system.·         Consider installing a remote starter if you need to warm up your vehicle in the morning.·         Report suspicious activity. If you see suspicious people in or around motor vehicles, call 9-1-1.

Remember, a few minutes braving the cold with your vehicle can save you from a headache down the line.

Dear Haysboro Community Association:

We are writing to share information about a City project your members may be interested in knowing more about and participating in. The Flood Mitigation Measures Assessment project fulfills one of the 27 recommendations of the Expert Management Panel on River Flood Mitigation. The focus of the project is to develop a comprehensive list of flood mitigation measures for the city of Calgary. As part of the project, we are gathering community input which will help inform recommendations to Council.

We are creating a Community Advisory Group for this project. The aim of the Community Advisory Group will be to work collaboratively with The City’s team to evaluate and analyse flood mitigation measures in Calgary communities.  Applications from are welcome until closing on Feb 24, 2016.

There are many opportunities to get involved and to share input in addition to the Community Advisory Group. For more information on the project, the Community Advisory Group and engagement opportunities, please click here.

In closing, we ask for your help sharing this opportunity. If possible, could you please put the following information on your community website or newsletter.  

Sincerely,

Carolyn Bowen M.Sc.

Program Manager, Flood Resiliency and Mitigation

Water Resources | The City of Calgary

Mail code #438 | PO Box 2100, Stn. M, Calgary AB, T2P 2M5

T 403.268.2509 | C 403.801.2074

Community Advisory Group - Get Involved

Building resiliency to flooding is a top priority for The City. Since the 2013 flood, we have repaired, restored and recovered from devastating and costly flood damage. With much of the recovery well on its way, our focus is to ensure we build flood resilience by implementing the 27 recommendations of the Expert Management Panel on River Flood Mitigation. 

Now, we are advancing further by developing a comprehensive suite of mitigation measures for Calgary through a consultative, citizen-focused approach.

The best decisions involve community input

In the upcoming months, The City will be meeting with citizens, stakeholder groups, community organizations and orders of government. The input gathered will be used to develop The City’s comprehensive suite of flood mitigation measures for the Bow and Elbow rivers.

Join the Community Advisory Group (CAG)

The City of Calgary is looking for community members from 2013 flood-affected and non-flood affected communities, business and interested representatives to participate in the Flood Mitigation Measures Community Advisory Group.

The Community Advisory Group will provide input concerning flood mitigation measures to The City, who will then make recommendations for decisions by Council.

Apply Now

Join us in developing the comprehensive suite of flood mitigation measures which will protect citizens, properties, critical infrastructure, vital services, communities and downtown from future river flood events.

To learn more about the selection process and to participate in the Community Advisory Group, please click here.

There are many opportunities to get involved and to share input in addition to the Community Advisory Group. For more information on the project, the Community Advisory Group and engagement opportunities, please visit calgary.ca/floodinfo.

 

Dear: Haysboro 

Welcome to the third iteration of your Ward 11 newsletter. We hope you find this information helpful to inform and update you on key issues and happenings in Ward 11.

Important Dates:

SW Transitway BRT Public Information Session Dates

• Tuesday, February 23rd from 7 to 9 pm at the Woodcreek Community Hall, 1991 Woodview Drive SW
• Tuesday, March 8th from 5 to 8 pm at the Southland Leisure Centre, 2000 Southland Drive SW
•  - HAYSBORO - Tuesday, March 15th from 5 to 8 pm at the Carriage House Inn, 9030 Macleod Trail South
• Wednesday, March 16th from 7 to 9 pm at the Lakeview Community Association Rink, 6110 34 Street SW
• Wednesday, March 23rd from 5 to 8 pm Clearwater Academy, 2521 Dieppe Ave SW

The Project Team is confirming a couple additional information sessions. My team and I will be attending the City-held sessions.

Action Plan Check-In: Pop Up Engagement

• Saturday, February 13th from 12 to 2 pm the engage! Bus will be at the gates of Heritage Park

Crowchild Trail Study Drop-In Open House Dates

• Thursday, March 10th from 5 to 8 pm at the Red and White Club, McMahon Stadium, 1833 Crowchild Trail NW
• Saturday, March 12th from 10 am to 1 pm at Queen Elizabeth Sr. High School, 512 18th Street NW

News:

37th Street Stormtrunk Relocation Project

In preparation of Phase II of the 37th Street Stormtrunk Relocation Project, geotechnical work is needed to identify the underground conditions required for the detailed design of the storm trunk and outfall. You will notice periodic pathway closures in North Glenmore Park and some equipment noise can be expected.

50th Avenue Corridor Study

The City of Calgary is beginning a Transportation Corridor Study of 50th Avenue SW between Crowchild Trail and 14A Street SW. This corridor study will identify current issues and concerns with 50th Avenue SW and will provide recommendations for future improvements.

Calgary South West Ring Road

Through 2016, The City will coordinate the projects, which will be designed and constructed over the next five years, before the SWCRR opens in 2021. More information on the designs and schedule for each project will become available as the design work progresses through 2016.

Crowchild Trail/Flanders Avenue Interchange

Construction of the Crowchild Trail/Flanders Avenue Interchange is underway. The Flanders Avenue Bridge has been demolished, and Flanders Avenue is closed from Richard Road S.W. east to Amiens Road S.W. Both the bridge and the new roundabouts will be open to traffic in fall 2016.

Southwood Skatepark

Construction is well underway, and the skatepark should be ready for early Spring 2016! Here's an Engagement Timeline Summary of the Southwood Skatepark.

Please feel free to share this newsletter with your network, and encourage your neighbours to subscribe to these updates.

Sincerely,

Brian & the Ward 11 Team

Dear Haysboro 

 Many people have brought to my attention that a lobby group is hosting a “Community Information Forum” on the SW Transitway BRT project this week.

 I want to clarify that this is not a City of Calgary sanctioned event and is not representative of the work the SW Transitway team is doing. 

 The project team has and will continue to be engaged with all stakeholders along the transitway route. The project is now in the detailed design phase. In this phase, the project team is working with stakeholders to get their feedback and input into the design. This then informs the design work which will be presented back to the community.

 Background, facts and other project details can be found on the City’s SW Transitway BRT Project website.

 It is anticipated that the SW Transitway project team will be hosting information sessions in the coming months. Please stay tuned, as my office will be letting you know about the information session dates. 

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with my office about this, or any other issue.

 Sincerely,

Brian

 

Councillor, Ward 11
The City of Calgary
403-268-5056 (Office)
403-268-8091 (Fax)
Mail Code: 8001A

Dear Haysboro 

 

I’ve heard a lot of questions and concerns on the Southwest (SW) Transitway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)project. My office is in close contact with the Transit Team as well as Community Associations as this project progresses. I want to take the opportunity to address some of the misinformation currently in circulation. Please read below, and my FAQ Sheet on the SW Transitway BRT.

Project Information

 The SW Transitway is about improving transit for SW Calgary communities. I put forward the Notice of Motion to address the communities south of the Glenmore Reservoir that are significantly underserved by transit. I have been talking about this project throughout the communities for the past five years, as this is a solution towards getting people out of SW Calgary in a more effective and efficient way, whether you take transit or not.

 The project is not widening or expanding 14^thStreet. It will remain a six lane arterial roadway, with the same speed limits. The SW BRT project is about reconfiguring 14^th Street so that busses will be out of traffic. The project is within the existing road right of way. No parks will be impacted; however, some grass boulevards will be impacted, as they are in the road right of way.

 The project is scheduled to begin construction in 2016 and is expected to take two years to build, connecting Woodbine to the Downtown. There are no parking lots, park n’ rides, or bus depots planned along the route.

 The transitway anticipates removing up to 10,000 vehicles from the 14^th Street corridor leading to a decrease in noise and air pollution. As well, the City is purchasing natural gas buses which will further reduce air pollution not just on the 14^th street corridor, but across the city.

 The Ring Road is designed as a car and truck route to bypass southwest Calgary, and as such will not have transit on it. It won’t do anything towards improving transit for SW Calgary. So, the SW Transitway and the SW Ring Road are serving different people and meeting completely different needs and demands. They are complementary to each other.

 Phase

 When funding was secured in September, the Transit Team was able to move forward with more engagement and the detailed project design. In this phase of work, the Transit Team is and will continue to engage with stakeholders. They are taking away this information and working to incorporate it into the detailed designs plans.

Next Steps 

 The Transit Team will hold more information sessions in Q1 of the New Year. As we receive further information and updates, we will be sure to share it with you. Subscribe to Ward 11 updates to stay connected. 

 Sincerely,

Brian

Brian Pincott

Councillor
Ward 11

Sign up for our newsletter at

www.ward11calgary.ca
Twitter: @bpincott

       

 

Dear Haysboro

 

I wanted to update everyone on the Southwest Transitway Bus-Rapid-Transit (BRT) project, which looks like it is finally moving forward.

 

In 2010, the City held a series of public engagement sessions to gather citizen input on this proposed southwest BRT system. The transition from regular bus service to BRT service takes place when a number of conditions exist including: high ridership; supportive travel patterns (common origins/destinations on major travel corridors); supportive land use; and the need to move citizens quickly and more reliably than regular bus service can accommodate. A functional planning study was commissioned, and approved by Council in 2011.

 

Council directed administration to apply for dedicated funding for this project under the Government of Alberta’s GreenTRIP program. This September 2015, funds were granted by the provincial government for this important traffic-reducing BRT line. The City held two information sessions on the SW Transitway (called a Transitway to distinguish it from existing BRT’s) and the SW Ring Road on October 27^th and October 29th. Unfortunately, the announcement of receiving this GreenTRIP funding arrived after the deadline for community newsletter submissions, but the Transportation Department did communicate the information sessions to the Community Associations and by placing neon bold signs in the affected communities.

 

The bus stops largely overlap with pre-existing transit stops, especially from downtown to 14^th Street SW and 75^th Avenue SW. New stops will be introduced on 14^th Street, which will align with major activity centres of Heritage Park, the Rockyview Hospital, and Glenmore Landing.

 

Transitway lanes will be either added or dedicated to bus use only, as the goal of the project is to ensure a reliable travel time for communities south of the Glenmore Reservoir similar to what would be experienced on an LRT. In conjunction with the construction of the bus lanes on the west side of 14^th Street, the Transportation Department is crafting options to streamline the flow of traffic along this corridor.

 

I recognize that traffic volumes have been a serious issue in this corridor for years. Implementing a transitway allows the City of Calgary to effectively provide citizens with more options for getting around the city and getting cars off the road. This new transitway will help to relieve congestion, and connect all of you to major destinations in southwest Calgary and downtown.

Construction is expected to begin in 2016, and completion is currently targeted for the end of 2018. As with all major projects, short-term inconveniences due to construction will occur. Transportation will be working on construction staging and traffic management plans to minimize impacts as much as possible.

 

For maps and other detailed information, please visit www.calgary.ca/swtransitway.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns. Please sign up to receive communications regarding this and other ward updates at www.ward11calgary.ca, or by emailing my office at ward11@calgary.ca. Feel free to connect with me on Twitter @bpincott, or on Facebook at Brian Pincott, Councillor Ward 11.

Sincerely,
Brian

Brian Pincott
Councillor, Ward 11
The City of Calgary
403-268-5056 (Office)
403-268-8091 (Fax)
Mail Code: 8001A
Email: ward11@calgary.ca

To sign up for regular updates from the Ward 11 office regarding city related issues and community events, please visit the Ward 11 website.

City of Calgary Content

Here is a link to the December Community Newsletter Content:

http://www.calgary.ca/cfod/csc/Pages/Community-newsletter-content.aspx

 

This month The City has information on:

-Christmas Tree Recycling
-Christmas events for citizens to enjoy
-What The City offers during the winter season (safety tips, staying active, getting around the city etc.)
-The City is looking for more Calgarians to join the Online Panel
-New solar panels installed at City leisure centre

Bylaws related to snow and ice

The City enforces bylaws related to snow and ice control on sidewalks. It is your responsibility to remove all snow and ice from sidewalks and pathways in front of or on the side of your property. Sidewalks and pathway surfaces should be bare and completely clear of snow and ice.

Snow Angels

Keeping sidewalks shoveled, ice-free and safe can be very challenging for older adults and other Calgarians who have limited mobility. Snow Angels is a campaign that encourages Calgarians to help neighbours in need with snow removal.

Safe snow shoveling techniques

• Space your hands on the shovel to increase leverage.
• Stand with you feet apart, knees bent and back straight.
• Place your front foot close to the shovel.
• Put weight on your front foot. Step forward and use your legs to load a small amount of snow onto the shovel. Remember the wetter the snow, the heavier it is.
• Lift with your legs; do not bend at the waist.
• Keep the shovel close to your body.
• Walk to where you want to dump the snow. Turn your feet in the direction you are throwing the snow. Do not twist the waist.
• Pace yourself. Take appropriate rest breaks.
• Apply road salt/de-icer wherever necessary.

SouthWest Communities Resource Centre

Located in the Professional Wing of the Oakridge Co-Op Mall

#42 2580 Southland Drive SW   T2V 4J8

Phone: 403-238-9222   Email: info@swcrc.ca

www.swcrc.ca

Parent Talk – Register Now

Thursday mornings, September 24 – December 10 2015 at the SWCRC. Free child-minding, coffee and snacks. Parenting tip sheets and children’s books to take home.

This free program is open to all parents of babies and young children.

• ·         Enjoy the company and support of other parents
• ·         Give your children some supervised play time
• ·         Get your parenting questions answered with the help of facilitators from the Further Education Society
• ·         Help your young children learn and develop their potential

You can register and start the program anytime over the 12 weeks of the session. Attend as many weeks as you can. To register, call the SWCRC at 403-238-9222.

SWCRC Volunteer Opportunity: Parenting Group Assistant

SWCRC is expanding its parenting education programming. To support the participation of low income and socially isolated parents, we would like to offer free child care for the parents’ young children. As a member of our team of Parenting Group Assistants, you will care for the children by providing a safe, loving and fun environment in which to play, socialize and learn. The time commitment is approximately 2 ½ hours, 9:30 – noon, either Tuesdays or Thursdays.

It takes a village to raise a child. Your passion for kids, and your desire to contribute your knowledge and experience towards a community effort to optimize children’s social, emotional and intellectual development, will inspire you to contact the SWCRC for more information about this important volunteer role. Call 403-238-9222 ext. 222.

SWCRC Volunteer Opportunity: Board Member

Are you looking for a way to get involved in addressing the social needs of vulnerable individuals and families living in your area? Do you have, or would you like to develop, knowledge and skills in the governance of a non-profit organization?  SWCRC is seeking Board members with skills and experience in the following areas: social work; early childhood development; parenting education; health; marketing and fund development. For more information, call 403-238-9222 ext. 222.

Connecting you to the Resources you Need

You live in one of the 28 communities served by the SWCRC. If you are in need of information or resources, or if you are facing a challenging situation of any kind and you aren’t sure how to move forward, please call us at 403-238-9222 to make an appointment with one of our Community Resource Workers.

Our two Community Resource Workers are social workers who will:

• ·         sit down and talk with you for an extended period of time
• ·         provide supportive counselling
• ·         help you assess your situation
• ·         identify the strengths and resources you already have  
• ·         provide information about, and referrals to, other available resources, programs and services
• ·         help you “navigate the system”