Every resident deserves to feel safe in their community. Ensuring public safety, maintaining law and order, and fostering a sense of security are essential components of a thriving city. During my time as mayor of Chestermere, one of my key priorities was making sure that Chestermere remained a safe, welcoming, and secure place for residents to live, work, and raise families. Safety isn’t just about responding to emergencies—it’s about creating an environment where people feel protected, supported, and confident in their community.
As our city grew, so did the need for comprehensive and proactive approaches to public safety. I took steps to ensure that Chestermere’s police force, emergency responders, and community services were well-equipped to meet the needs of a growing population. At the same time, I understood that true public safety is built on more than just enforcement; it’s about fostering a culture of trust, cooperation, and well-being across all levels of the community.
Strengthening Law Enforcement and Emergency Response
The backbone of any community’s safety is its law enforcement and emergency services. During my tenure, I worked to ensure that Chestermere’s police force was well-resourced and able to address the growing demands of a rapidly expanding city. With more residents comes more activity, and this requires adequate staffing, resources, and training for our police officers to effectively serve the community.
I advocated for increased funding for the Chestermere RCMP and worked with senior law enforcement officials to ensure that the force had the tools and support it needed to keep the city safe. This included the recruitment of additional officers and investments in advanced technology that helped improve policing efficiency and public safety. Our officers were equipped with the best resources, which enabled them to respond quickly to incidents, prevent crime, and build positive relationships with residents.
Beyond just bolstering law enforcement, I also prioritized creating strong ties between our police officers and the community. Chestermere’s residents needed to see our officers as part of the community, not just figures of authority. I worked to improve community policing efforts, encouraging officers to engage with residents outside of emergencies and to participate in local events, schools, and neighborhood meetings.
By fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and residents, we were able to build a community that was not only safer but also more connected. When people feel they know their officers and trust them, it makes it easier to report concerns, share information, and collaborate to prevent crime.
Preventing Crime through Community Engagement
While law enforcement is an essential part of public safety, preventing crime before it happens is an equally important component. During my time in office, I championed community programs designed to prevent crime by addressing the root causes of criminal behavior. We focused on youth engagement, mental health, addiction support, and providing resources to families in need.
One of the programs I am most proud of was our youth outreach initiatives. By engaging with young people early on, we could create positive experiences that helped keep them on the right path. I worked with local schools, sports organizations, and community groups to offer mentoring programs, after-school activities, and skills-building initiatives. These programs not only provided alternatives to negative behaviors but also helped young people feel supported by their community.
Additionally, Chestermere focused on mental health and addiction support services. We worked to ensure that residents who needed mental health counseling or addiction treatment had access to the resources they needed. By addressing the root causes of many criminal behaviors, such as substance abuse and untreated mental health issues, we were able to reduce the likelihood of individuals engaging in criminal activities.
We also invested in programs that helped families in need, such as food security, affordable housing, and parenting support. Ensuring that families had the support they needed to thrive not only improved individual well-being but also contributed to overall community safety by reducing the socio-economic pressures that can lead to crime.
Collaborating with Neighbors and Regional Partners
Public safety is not just a municipal issue—it requires regional collaboration and cooperation. Chestermere is part of a larger region that includes neighboring municipalities, and many safety issues cross jurisdictional boundaries. To address this, I worked closely with neighboring cities, municipalities, and regional organizations to improve regional cooperation in public safety efforts.
One of the key areas of regional collaboration was disaster preparedness and emergency response. Chestermere, like many cities, faces risks from natural disasters, such as flooding or severe weather. I worked with regional emergency management teams to ensure that Chestermere had a comprehensive emergency response plan in place, one that involved coordination between local, regional, and provincial authorities. This ensured that our first responders were prepared for any eventuality and could work together efficiently in the event of a large-scale emergency.
Collaboration with neighboring municipalities also helped in addressing regional crime trends. By sharing intelligence and coordinating efforts, we were able to better tackle organized crime, human trafficking, and other regional threats. Public safety doesn’t stop at the city’s borders, and it was essential to build these regional partnerships to ensure the safety of our entire area.
Neighborhood Watch Programs: Empowering Residents
Another important component of maintaining public safety is empowering residents to play an active role in their community’s safety. Neighborhood Watch programs are a powerful tool in crime prevention, and I encouraged their development across Chestermere. These programs give residents the ability to stay vigilant, share information, and look out for one another.
During my time as mayor, I worked with the Chestermere RCMP to promote and expand Neighborhood Watch programs in various parts of the city. We held information sessions, trained residents on how to spot suspicious activity, and encouraged them to report anything that seemed out of place. This grassroots approach to crime prevention was essential to ensuring that public safety wasn’t just the responsibility of law enforcement—it was a shared effort between the police and the community.
The success of Neighborhood Watch programs is largely due to the relationships they build within neighborhoods. When residents feel a personal responsibility for one another’s safety, they become more invested in keeping their streets secure. These programs foster a sense of community and connection while also deterring criminal activity through active vigilance.
Enhancing Public Health and Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic posed unique challenges to public safety, not just in terms of health but also in maintaining social cohesion during a time of uncertainty. As the pandemic unfolded, I worked with provincial and federal health authorities to ensure that Chestermere was prepared to handle the public health crisis. We implemented measures to protect residents, supported healthcare workers, and kept communication lines open with the community.
Additionally, we focused on mental health services during the pandemic, recognizing that the isolation, stress, and economic challenges posed by COVID-19 were having an impact on residents’ well-being. We worked to ensure that people had access to counseling, support services, and resources to help them navigate the emotional toll of the pandemic.
Throughout the crisis, it was important to balance the need for safety with maintaining a sense of community. We encouraged residents to stay connected, even from a distance, and supported local businesses that were struggling during lockdowns. Our ability to work together as a community during the pandemic strengthened Chestermere’s sense of unity and resilience.
Investing in Public Safety Infrastructure
Public safety isn’t just about law enforcement; it’s also about the physical infrastructure that supports community well-being. Chestermere invested in creating safer public spaces, from well-lit streets and parks to the installation of security cameras in high-traffic areas. Improving the city’s infrastructure to reduce crime and promote safety was an ongoing focus during my tenure.
I also worked on expanding our public safety communication networks, ensuring that residents had easy access to emergency alerts, city updates, and safety resources. The use of modern technology to improve communication and public safety was a priority, and we continued to explore new ways to make Chestermere a safer place to live.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Safety and Trust
As I reflect on my time as mayor, I am proud of the work we did to improve public safety and community well-being in Chestermere. Public safety isn’t just about responding to emergencies—it’s about building a community where residents feel secure, supported, and connected. Whether through strengthening law enforcement, engaging in crime prevention, promoting community engagement, or investing in safety infrastructure, we laid the foundation for a safer, more resilient city.
Chestermere’s commitment to public safety will continue to grow, and I believe that the collaborative efforts of residents, law enforcement, and city officials will ensure that the city remains a safe, welcoming place for all. The work we did was about more than just numbers or policies—it was about ensuring that every resident could feel at home in Chestermere and confident in their safety.