Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to developing a more holistic understanding and approach to the complex, multiple, and interconnected root causes of crime, victimization, safety, and well-being in our communities.
Guided by the 2023-2024 Public Safety Strategy, the Community Safety Programs & Partnerships / Research & Development teams provide leadership and support to HRM's community safety goals across the organization and in collaboration with community. This includes:
- Indigenous-led community safety
- Youth violence prevention
- Broadening the spectrum of emergency and crisis response
- Community safety training programs
- Enhancing supports for people who use substances, and people in need of mental health crisis support
- Making public spaces safer and free from violence for women, girls, and gender-diverse people
- Supporting communities in building resilience and healing from trauma
The Programs & Partnerships team also leads community-based initiatives including the Community Mobilization Teams (CMTs) and the Safe City & Safe Public Spaces Program to improve community safety and well-being within the municipality. This division will lead all new programs and services, including, for instance, the stabilization centre.
- Background: Addressing Community Safety in HRM
In 2008, the Halifax Regional Municipality made a commitment to developing a more holistic understanding of, and approach to, the root causes of crime and victimization in Halifax, by convening a Mayor's Roundtable on Violence, resulting in the 2008 publication of the Clairemont Report, formally titled: "Violence and Public Safety in the Halifax Regional Municipality: A report to the Mayor as a result of the Roundtable. Acting on a key recommendation of the report, the municipality established a Public Safety Office (PSO) in 2009, which is now known as the Community Safety Business Unit.
In 2014 the Mayor requested a report on progress made since the 2008 Clairemont Report, resulting in 2014 Roundtable Review volume 1 and volume II.
The research and community engagement from this report formed the basis for the municipality’s inaugural Public Safety Strategy, unanimously approved by Regional Council on October 31, 2017.
- The Public Safety Strategy
An updated Halifax Public Safety Strategy has been approved for 2023-24 to 2025-26.
The Halifax Public Safety Strategy:
- Is a strategic framework for guiding all municipal decision-making, regarding public safety.
- Adheres to the municipality’s mandate to sustain safe and viable communities and is built on an understanding that collaborations and partnerships are essential to advance strategic priorities..
- The 2023-24 to 2025-26 Public Safety Strategy contains three strategic action areas:
- Community-led public safety leadership
- Broader spectrum of responses to real issues and harms
- Establishing a centre of responsibility for collective impact
Development of the Strategy
Throughout the development of the updated Halifax Public Safety Strategy, consultations occurred both internally with business units and Regional Council, and externally with community parternships and service providers.
Additional external engagement with service providers, community organizations, and communities will continue as the actions within the Strategy are advanced, including the establishment of a community voice and advisory structure.
- Research & Development
The Community Safety Research and Development team supports HRM's community safety goals across the organization by providing community safety training programs, research, program evaluation expertise, as well as locally informed evidence and best practice insights.
Expanding public safety training capacity can cultivate a broader culture shift within the municipality by supporting staff in seeking alternatives to enforcement, promoting safer and inclusive spaces, healing from trauma, and focusing on meeting the needs of individuals.
- Accomplishments
The Public Safety Advisor oversees the implementation of the actions in the strategy through collaboration and partnerships and provides advice on locally informed, evidence-based approaches to community safety and wellbeing to further advance the strategy’s goals. Each year, the Advisor updates the community on the Stategy's outcomes:
Public Safety Strategy Annual Report 2018
Public Safety Strategy Annual Report 2019
Public Safety Strategy Annual Report 2021
Public Safety Strategy Annual Report 2022
Public Safety Strategy Annual Report 2023
Safety Training Initiatives
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training
In September 2023, the municipality’s Community Safety team began offering the Crisis Prevention Institute’s (CPI) Trauma Informed Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) training program to municipal employees, volunteers and community organizations. The training aims to build confidence, promote empathy and support safer interactions with residents and co-workers.
Training that reduces stress and increases confidence
NCI training works. As part of an evaluation of the first two years of NCI training, 55 per cent of participants reported reduced stress and improved public wellbeing and 78 per cent reported increased confidence.
- Read the summary of the evaluation
- Read the full evaluation report.
NCI training opportunities continue for municipal employees.
Programs & Partnerships
Community Mobilization Teams (CMTs)
CMTs work toward preventing violence by reducing distress, restoring unity, and building resilience. We are: Community volunteers working together to support families and communities by bridging the gap with service providers during times of critical incidents. Through healing and spirituality, we facilitate meaningful connections to ensure community safety.
Learn more or contact Raven Glasgow, Manager, Programs and Engagement, raven.glasgow@halifax.ca
Safe City and Safe Public Spaces Program
Halifax's Safe City and Safe Public Spaces program focuses on preventing and addressing sexual and other forms of gender-based violence in public spaces within Halifax Regional Municipality.
The program promotes women, girls', and non-binary people's rights to use public spaces free from intimidation, sexual and other forms of gender-based violence. Learn more or contact us at SafeCity@halifax.ca
CMT members prepare to deliver emergency supplies after Hurricane Dorian
Participants plan their safety audit route.
Members take part in a team building activity
Women’s Safety Audit train-the-trainer session participants
Two participants take part in a team building activity
Piloting the safety audit tool in Halifax’s North End.
Retreat Group Picture
