Help make our community safer, more vibrant

River Heights – Fort Garry

Building the kind of neighbourhoods, we want to be a part of doesn’t happen by accident – we all have a role to play in making our communities as safe and welcoming as possible for everyone.

For many of us, that starts with keeping our homes, garages and property protected. To help give you, your family and friends tips on crime prevention and personal safety, I will be hosting two free community forums, along with my senior staff member, Georgina, and the Winnipeg Police Service later this month.

Join us on Saturday April 25, 202at 3:30 p.m. at Linden Woods Community Centre (414 Lindenwood Dr.) or on Monday, April 27 at 7p.m. at the Corydon Community Centre – River Heights Site (1370 Grosvenor Ave.).

At both events, WPS members will share the best ways to secure our homes and personal property and answer any questions you may have. I hope to see you there as we all work together to keep River Heights-Fort Garry as safe as possible.

Another way you can stay on top of the latest information from the WPS is through its e-watch updates. This crime prevention, education and safety awareness initiative is designed to keep you informed about recent break and enters and vehicle thefts in your area through regular emails. It also provides timely crime prevention tips on matters in our community. Recent topics include reminders about ensuring your home or business alarms are registered with the city, commuter tips on taking Winnipeg Transit and ways to spot a spam phone call quickly. Signing up is easy – visit winnipeg.ca/police/crime-prevention/e-watch and enter your email address to start receiving updates.

I believe that a big part of strong communities is knowing your neighbours and taking care of one another. That starts with getting to know the people who live on your street and in your area.

A fun way to get together and build this kind of foundation is to host a community block party this year. Break out the grills and snacks, the lawn chairs and the party games, while catching up with old friends and making new ones. By building relationships, you may feel more comfortable reaching out to your neighbours if something doesn’t seem quite right with their property or if you need a helping hand.

You can host one in your backyard or driveway but if you want to really include as many people as possible, a block party can include the closure of residential streets. If you go this route, sidewalks must always be kept open and pedestrians allowed to pass. You’ll also need to apply for a permit, and you can find more information by searching “Block Party Package” at www.winnipeg.ca. There is a cost, but to encourage as many neighbourhoods as possible to get in on the fun, contact my office and we’ll be happy to provide a grant to cover the cost of the permit for your party.

If you have other ways that you’ve made our community safer, I want to hear from you. Send me an email with what has worked on your street at jorlikow@winnipeg.ca or call my office at 204-986-5236.