Forum on safety strategy next month
AJAX -- A public forum next month will give residents a chance to make "a safe community safer."
The draft Community Safety Strategy for Ajax will be presented on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
"We'll share the draft strategies. There are 45 draft strategies. It's an opportunity for residents to ask questions, said Marilou Murray, assistant to the chief administrative officer.
The hope, Ms. Murray said, is to have the public "hear the plan and provide feedback and comments.
"From there, we'll move forward with the plan," she said, adding that will include a chance for the community groups who worked on the strategy to have more input.
The strategy has four key focus points -- neighbourhoods, youth and family, transportation and getting around, and policing.
Having a safety strategy has been the number-one priority of council and residents. The need for a strategy came about after a series of high-profile incidents, including a shooting in a north Ajax neighbourhood during Halloween.
Having the strategy is "a proactive strategy to make Ajax remain a safe and caring community," Ms. Murray said.
The motto for the initiative is Making a safe community... safer. "Ajax is a safe community. Other municipalities are calling. They're interested in our model," she said.â?¨ Challenges for the Town include growth and a changing demographic. Town officials want to ensure there are programs for youths, Ms. Murray said.
After the forum, the comments will be incorporated in the strategy, which will be posted on the Town's website for review prior to going to council for final approval in October.
Partners in the endeavour are The Youth Centre, the Safe Communities of Pickering-Ajax (SCOPA), the John Howard Society, Durham Region social services department, the Durham Regional Police, the two school boards and the Community Development Council Durham. There are also two residents on the committee.
The forum is being held from 7 to 9 p.m., in the Rotary Room of the main Ajax Public Library branch, at the corner of Harwood Avenue and Achilles Road.
For more information, visit www.townofajax.com.