Public Safety Office (Details)

Name of province/ territory:

Nova Scotia

City/ Region:

Halifax

Description of Initiative:

The Public Safety Office was created to lead and direct a coordinated response to the recommendations of the Halifax Mayor’s Roundtable Report, "Violence and Public Safety in the Halifax Regional Municipality,"

Initiative Key Objectives:

The Public Safety Office has several objectives:

  • strengthen existing partnerships and foster new ones with the various levels of government, social agencies, educational institutions, business associations and community groups;
  • ensure a coordinated and holistic approach to the root causes of crime and enhance public safety; and
  • lead and direct a coordinated response to the Mayor’s Roundtable Report recommendations.

Section Responsible for Implementation:

Public Safety Office

Key Contact:

R. Scott MacDonald
macdons @halifax.ca

Groups/ Agencies/ Key Partners Involved:

  • community groups
  • other police services
  • private agencies/corporations
  • civilian governing authorities
  • other government departments/agencies
  • academic institutes (research and evaluation)

Level of Involvement (consultative - information sharing) and/or cooperative - direct involvement):

The level of involvement is both consultative and cooperative, depending on the stakeholders involved and the initiative being undertaken.

Amount of Time Initiative has been in Place:

Since 2009.

Reason for Undertaking the Initiative:

This initiative was undertaken in response to a concern for safety in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). The position arose out of a recommendation in the Mayor’s Roundtable Report on violence and public safety.

Resources Required to Implement this Initiative:

The only cost associated with this initiative is the salary for the Public Safety Officer as this is a new position.

Method of Implementation:

The initiave was implemented as a result of the Mayor's Roundtable Report on violence and public safety. It started with the creation of the position of Public Safety Officer and continues to grow as the recommendations in the report are implemented. There have been no new costs incurred.

Key Outcomes of the Initiative:

This initiative is meeting its objectives of implementing the recommendations of the Roundtable Report through partnerships with the various levels of government, social agencies, educational institutions, business associations and community/citizens’ groups.

Availability of a Communication Strategy:

Yes

Key Messages used to Publicize the Initiative:

  • This a long-term initiative that requires strong partnerships between all three levels of government, social agencies and community partners to ensure a coordinated and holistic approach to address the root causes of crime and enhance public safety.
  • This initiative builds on the crime reduction strategy which has enabled us to realize a decrease in crime rates for four consecutive years.

Forms of Evaluation by which the Initiative will be Assessed:

  • formative
  • summative
  • qualitative
  • quantitative

Evaluation Completed or Community Feedback Received:

No

Summary of the Outcomes:

There is an ongoing assessment being conducted by the academic community. In terms of outcomes, all recommendations are being addressed and 87% are complete.

Summary of the Performance Measure Data Collected:

N/A

Economics of Policing Pillars:

Further Details:

N/A

Additional Comments or Suggestions:

N/A

Record Entry Date:

2013-08-01

Date modified: