Safety in Brantford, Ontario
In midsized communities like Brantford, Ontario, visible indicators of social and physical disorder leave people fearful and unwilling to engage in civic life. The COVID-19 pandemic has only intensified these concerns, as housing has become more inaccessible and homelessness and visible encampments in these areas continues to increase. Municipalities like Brantford are working to respond to these concerns through strategies such as community safety and well-being plans. Still, many of these plans lack a detailed evidence-base of the actual problems, and do not fully engage those most impacted by these decisions: residents and local stakeholders.
To develop effective strategies that both incorporate and receive support from all members of the community, an evidence informed approach is required. Since 2021, our research team (comprised of Dr. Carrie Sanders, Dr. Tarah Hodgkinson, Dr. Samantha Henderson, and Dr. Camie Condon) has been collaborating with Brantford Police Services to empirically investigate crime and perceptions of safety in downtown Brantford.
In 2023, we received additional funding to host an action-oriented search conference and to conduct a city-wide safety survey.
Action-Oriented Search Conference
Following our study on Perceptions of Safety in Downtown Brantford, the research team will lead an action-oriented search conference to bring together stakeholders, disseminate research on local community safety, and develop inclusive solutions to ongoing safety concerns.
A search conference involves creating a shared vision, identifying opportunities and constraints to realizing that vision, and then working within those opportunities and constraints to develop action plans that promote a local governance structure to achieve that vision.
The search conference is bolstered by identifying current assets in the community, disseminating research findings on crime and safety, and capacity building for participants. Our conference will involve an appreciative inquiry process (identifying what works well in the community and what can be replicated), carousel workstations on crime and safety findings in Brantford, and an expert panel of community safety practitioners from across Canada.
- A chance to participate in creating a vision and action plan for community safety in downtown Brantford;
- Learn about key safety and well-being concerns in Brantford from a team of Laurier researchers;
- An opportunity to hear from a panel of community safety experts from across Canada.
Are you passionate about safety in downtown Brantford? Do you work and/or live in the downtown? Are you a community safety stakeholder? Then we want to hear from you!
When and where is it happening?
November 21st & 22nd, 2023
9:00am to 5:00pm each day
Brantford TownePlace Suites & Conference Centre
For more information and to pre-register to attend, please fill out this Qualtrics form by October 31st, 2023. Refreshments and lunch to be provided for all participants.
NOTE: Registration for this workshop is free, but spaces are limited. Registrants must be able to attend both days of the search conference to participate. Priority will be given to front-line community stakeholders.
Please contact Samantha Henderson at sahenderson@wlu.ca if you have questions about the event.
NEXT STEPS
Residents of Brantford have indicated that they perceive the downtown area as unsafe. However, recent research indicates that these concerns may relate less to serious and violent crime and more to indicators of social and physical disorder, such as homelessness, mental health crises, public drug use, and abandoned buildings. This survey will address the gaps in knowledge around perceptions of crime and safety (across the city of Brantford by conducting a representative survey of Brantford residents.
