North End Safety Network (NESN)

The North End Safety Network is a group of residents and community organizations that work together on larger safety issues that affect everyone.  The group builds on existing neighbourhood assets and tries to enhance individual and community capacity as part of its overall crime prevention strategy.  The Safety Network and NESN have prioritized the following issues:

North End Schools Safer Corridors Project
The North End Schools Safer Corridors Project that creates safe corridors for children and families by eliminating sex trade activity around seven designated schools during peak hours, when children are traveling to and from school.  Sponsored by Sage House, the program works in partnership with the Winnipeg Police Service and local North End agencies to provide outreach support services, and to create safer streets in the community.

Neighbourhood Safety Initiatives
NECRC works to support community residents by providing training and awareness workshops on a variety of safety issues.  Training includes conducting general neighbourhood safety audits, which are completed on an ongoing basis in many neighbourhoods.

North End neighbourhoods are completing neighbourhood safety plans that assist them to plan community-based responses to the range of safety concerns in their neighbourhood. The plans act as guides, and are tools to be used by residents as they work towards safer communities.

Seniors Safety
The Point Douglas Seniors Coalition, with support from the NECRC, has established and maintained the North End Seniors’ Shuttle.  A comprehensive senior’s safety strategy has also been developed and piloted, and initial results will be presented shortly.

Comprehensive Community Initiative (CCI)
North End Community Renewal Corporation and numerous partners have been successful in establishing a Comprehensive Community Initiative within the neighbourhoods of Lord Selkirk Park and Dufferin.  Through the CCI, the Lord Selkirk Park Resource Centre has opened, and has become a focal point for the community.  

The Lord Selkirk Park Resource Centre is a place where community capacity building is a key strategy towards ownership as residents engage and are invited to participate/volunteer in activities on a daily basis.  All existing partners of the CCI have developed a supportive relationship which is continuously evolving and building on the existing foundations. 

Community advocacy is an important component of the CCI.  Residents are represented by the Community Advisory Committee, and concerns are heard at a local policy table.  Involvement is growing and there is a new sense of ownership in the neighbourhood.