City councillors and police representatives discussed the results of a safety audit examining several Nanaimo neighbourhoods. (City of Nanaimo)

By Ian Holmes

community safety

Nanaimo safety audit aims to increase neighbourhood connections

Oct 5, 2021 | 5:24 AM

NANAIMO — Local police resources and city councillors are grappling to find solutions following a safety audit examining half a dozen neighbourhoods.

The general consensus of the nearly 750 people surveyed earlier this year found most weren’t satisfied with safety in their neighbourhood.

Christy Wood, the City’s community policing coordinator, provided an overview at the Monday, Oct. 4 council meeting.

“About half of the respondents were not happy with safety in their neighbourhoods with Brechin Hill kind of being on the higher end being the most dissatisfied. Most neighbourhoods also believe that crime was on the rise,” Wood said during her presentation to councillors.

Brechin Hill, Newcastle, South End, Harewood, Old City and Downtown were included in the audit.

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Despite angst about crime and feeling unsafe, most respondents had strong feelings of community pride and a sense of belonging in their respective areas.

The data was paired with crime statistics over the previous five years as part of a tool to help address safety challenges in various neighbourhoods moving forward.

Coun. Don Bonner questioned the perception of crime versus reality, pointing to an example in the Newcastle area where many people feared being potential crime victims.

“There’s like 800 homes in that area, which would mean 400 are going to get broken into, yet last year there were two and it was down from the year before,” Bonner said.

Coun. Ian Thorpe took exception.

“I don’t care if it’s reality. If it’s a perception, it’s a perception,” Thorpe said, noting clearly more needs to be done to help people feel safer close to home.

The thrust of the audit is to engage community level neighbourhood associations and strengthen connections between its residents.

Nanaimo RCMP Supt. Lisa Fletcher said the report is a great way to work together within Nanaimo’s different communities.

“As more people are engaged within their community it does drop negative perceptions as well as increase familiarity, which we know can help people feel more secure,” Fletcher said.

The audit was done with assistance from the VIU criminology program, neighbourhood associations and block watches.

More information on the recent safety audit can be found here.

Other areas of Nanaimo are expected to be included in future safety audits.

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On Twitter: @reporterholmes