Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

Chief Constable and Director of Community Services, Social Planning

SUBJECT:

Community Safety Grant - Volunteers Training

 

RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

On October 25, 1996, Council approved the establishment of a joint City of Vancouver and Ministry of Attorney General Community Safety Funding Program. Council also approved a three year commitment (1997-1999) of an annual grant budget of $150,000, to be provided in its annual Operating Budget without offset.

On December 14, 1999 approved the continuation of its participation in the joint City of Vancouver and Ministry of Attorney General Community Safety Funding Program for the year 2000, and consequently. On February 22, 2000, Council approved 19 grants totalling $300,000, with costs to be shared on a 50/50 basis between the City and the Province.

On September 28, 2000, Council approved the continuation of its participation in the joint City of Vancouver and Ministry of Attorney General Community Safety Funding on an ongoing basis. The annual cost for the year 2001 is $150,000, subject to negotiating matching funding from the Provincial Government. The source of funding to be the Other Grants Budget.

Approval of funding requires eight affirmative votes.

PURPOSE

This report recommends the rescindment of a $8,000 grant allocated to the Dunbar CPC as part of the year 2000 grants allocation for the Community Safety Program. It is also recommended that a grant for a similar amount be given to the Vancouver Crime Prevention Society for volunteer training activities.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
On February 22, 2000 Council approved 19 grants as part of the Community Safety Funding Program. One of these grants, for the amount of $8,000, was given to the Dunbar CPC for the implementation of Block Watch and Bike Patrol programs. Unfortunately, the Dunbar CPC has been unable to attract volunteers that will permit the implementation of these programs. Therefore, staff from the City of Vancouver and from the Ministry of the Attorney General have not been able to disperse the monies in a manner consistent with the guidelines approved by Council, which requires volunteer participation in order for a CPC to receive the funding.
Staff has previously reported to Council that the Community Policing program is a strong communications vehicle between the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) and local residents engaging in the conduction of crime prevention activities.
The Community Policing program enjoys the participation of approximately 700 volunteers. Unfortunately, there are some areas in the city where volunteer participation still needs further encouragement. Among other neighbourhoods, the Dunbar area could potentially benefit from the availability of volunteer training programs.

In order to address some of these concerns related to volunteer recruitment and volunteer training, staff is recommending that a grant of $8,000 be given to the Vancouver Crime Prevention Society, which in coordination with the VPD will implement the following training activities:
(1) Volunteer Management Workshop: This is a course that gives CPC coordinators tools to recruit, train, mentor, and deploy volunteers through effective volunteer management techniques. The course teaches assessment of volunteer activity, the importance of volunteer recognition, and principles of volunteer termination.
(2) Basic Volunteer Orientation: This course is a must for all volunteers entering service at a CPC. The course subjects include: Introduction to the VPD; role of the CPC volunteer; powers of arrest and liabilities; description of services offered at CPC'S; 911/ECOMM presentation. Included in this course is the photo identification of all volunteers. This course is taught by VPD personnel, and experts from the various CPC's and outside agencies.
(3) Courses on defusing hostile situations and Conflict Resolution: These two courses are designed to address the situations that CPC volunteer may find themselves in when working at a CPC or when participating in a CPC activity. Skills taught include: recognizing a developing hostile situation, alternatives and actions, negotiating skills, and "verbal karate". These courses are taught by VPD personnel with augmentation by professionals in conflict resolution.
CONCLUSION
Community Policing continues to be a priority of the VPD and is supported by the City. The allocation of a $8,000 grant to the Vancouver Crime Prevention Society will further facilitate the recruitment and training of volunteers to participate in crime prevention activities being coordinated by Vancouver's CPCs.

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