It’s been a busy year for Safer McCauley. In the spirit of transparency, we would like to provide you with a Report Back. Highlights include the development of online resources, and the strengthening of relationships with community organizations, EPS, and Bylaw. Particularly significant is a move towards increased action and the rebuilding of a citizen-led Safety Working Group. Please visit safermccauley.ca for a detailed Report-Back about the following engagements and actions that have taken place throughout 2018/2019:

SAFER MCCAULEY SUMMER ENGAGEMENT
Safer McCauley has been door-to-door this summer to exchange information with community members. The feedback collected will help guide our steps in 2019-2020. This engagement was one component of our ongoing process of gathering community knowledge. Visit safermccauley.ca to have your say.

SAFER MCCAULEY ONLINE: WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, and “WHO TO CALL WHEN?”
A website (safermccauley.ca) and Facebook (@SaferMcCauley) connect community members to news about engagements and actions. Visit online to share your ideas – and see new content about resources and “Who to Call When?” contacts.

EPS, MUNICIPAL ENFORCEMENT (BYLAW), and REPORTING
Direct relationships with EPS and Bylaw are valued by community members. Our EPS Beats and Bylaw Officer want to hear from you; and have made their direct contacts available.

COFFEE WITH A COP
This program has been established in McCauley to bring community members together with EPS Beats – over coffee – to build relationships and share information with one another.

THE MCCAULEY LITTER SQUAD
This citizen-driven collective action is addressing the build-up of litter in our community.

NEEDLE CLEAN-UP PARTNERSHIP
McCauley Revitalization invited the McCauley Community League and Safer McCauley to join its ongoing Needle Clean-Up partnership, staffed by community members from The Mustard Seed.

PROBLEM PROPERTIES
Our May Community Meeting invited the Residential Living Governance Committee (RLGC) to speak about its work in addressing Problem Properties. Since attending, Councillor McKeen has helped pass a motion requesting a report to City Council regarding any changes to bylaws and legislation that would increase the impact of the RLGC.

SAFETY THROUGH VIBRANCY; RECOVER; ABUNDANT COMMUNITIES
Our March Community Meeting produced a long list of positive street-level activities for increased neighbourhood vibrancy. Collaboration between community partners is now activating a back alley and giving a potential boost to the Abundant Communities program.

DOG WALKABOUT
If revived, this once-popular activity will be a fun and simple way to promote connectivity, vibrancy, and safety in McCauley.

PHARMACY INVENTORY
The proliferation of pharmacies has been identified as a concern. And it is contrary to the community’s desire for increased business diversity in McCauley.

Reach out to your neighbours. Consider getting involved.

SAFER MCCAULEY COMMUNITY MEETINGS & COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS
Meetings have built and reinforced relationships, helped identify priorities and solutions, and connected community members to information on topics such as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), Supervised Consumption Services, Community Asset Mapping, and Problem Properties.

SAFETY WORKING GROUP
McCauley Revitalization has partnered with Safer McCauley to maximize positive outcomes around safety. In 2019-2020, we will re-build a working group to continue turning community input into engagements and citizen-driven initiatives.

SAFER MCCAULEY – MCAULEY COMMUNITY LEAGUE – REVITALIZATION COLLABORATIVE
Positive and functional relationships between community organizations are integral to a harmonious community. The relationship between Safer McCauley, the McCauley Community League, and McCauley Revitalization is as healthy and collaborative as ever.

RESOURCE CONNECT
Building on the 2017 McCauley Community Gathering and Resource Fair, this initiative contributes to a more connected community of Edmonton service agencies.

THANK YOU to all community members and supports who give generously to promote well-being for all in McCauley. Reach out to your neighbours. Consider getting involved. Visit safermccauley.ca and Safer McCauley on Facebook. And, don’t hesitate to share your ideas with me directly.

Mark is REACH Edmonton’s McCauley Community Convener. He can be contacted at mark.davis@reachedmonton.ca.