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Safe City Mississauga – Crime Prevention Conference September 11 th , 2010. Len Paris Manager Campus Police Services. Welcome, Introduction & Overview . The University of Toronto today The role of the Campus Police Services Challenges in policing a campus today
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Safe City Mississauga – Crime Prevention Conference September 11th, 2010 Len Paris Manager Campus Police Services
Welcome, Introduction & Overview • The University of Toronto today • The role of the Campus Police Services • Challenges in policing a campus today • Involving the campus community in crime prevention • The importance of partnerships & good communications
The University of Toronto Today • Three campuses • 76,000 full and part-time students • 8,482 International Students • 10,800 Employees • 255 buildings
Role of the Campus Police Special Constables • Role is defined in the Governing Council policy and the Campus Police mandate • Oversight by Peel Regional Police Services Board & Ministry • Personal Safety & Crime Prevention • Other mandated services
Other Services • Protection of property • Emergency response & assistance • Conflict resolution • Community services & referral • Enforcement of laws, trespass, liquor, and University regulations & codes
Challenges in Campus Policing • Mostly young adult population (17 – 25 years of age) • Small Campus Police/security departments • Free & open environment vs. safe and secure • A feeling that crime does not happen here – “a sanctuary”
Challenges – Cont… • Past violent acts at U.S. and Canadian universities & colleges • Involving faculty in crime prevention • Changing population and worried parents every year • Controversial issues and speakers • Expensive equipment & easy access
Services & Programs Provided • On-line reporting by community • Web sites – anti-graffiti, harassment, on-line safety • Crime prevention & safety seminars • Conflict resolution seminars • Safe school visits training • Criminal Harassment & sexual assault seminars
Services & Programs Provided – Continued… • Drugs and Alcohol seminar for Orientation leaders • Training for residence assistants and staff • Students in Distress seminars • Behavioural Intervention Team (Threat Assessment)
Services & Programs Provided – Continued … • Cyber Academy with Peel Regional Police • Emergency notification to students & staff (2 systems) • Walksafer service • Women’s Safety initiatives • Safety audits & lighting surveys
Involving the Campus Community in Crime Prevention • What is crime prevention? • Crime prevention is defined as “the anticipation, the recognition, and the appraisal of a crime risk and the initiation of action to remove or reduce it.”
Involving the Campus Community in Crime Prevention • Crime prevention and crime reduction is a community responsibility • Stakeholders must be involved in crime prevention issues and solutions • There must be open communication and dialogue with the community • Patience and persistence may be required to mobilize the community
Involving the Campus Community in Crime Prevention • Reach out to the community for support of the crime prevention & safety efforts • Link crime prevention & safety initiatives to the academic mission of the university • Form strong partnerships and alliances • Encourage students and staff to become problem solvers who actively seek ways to be part of prevention efforts
Harnessing What Works – Examples – Student Groups • Partnerships with Women’s Centre and Student Councils: • “Light the Night”, Dissolve Play, safety & lighting audits, self defense courses, financial support for their initiatives, safety materials, etc. • Interim room (escaping violence) • Student Emergency Fund
Examples – Student Housing • Partnerships with Student Housing and Residence Life: • Bi-weekly meetings with student housing staff & Residence Life Coordinators (RLCs) • Numerous crime prevention and safety seminars with this group
Examples – Student Housing • Fire safety and fire drills • CCTV monitoring and review • Regular follow-up on crime and crime trends in residence areas • Crime & safety alerts • Planning and review of new residence construction (CPTED)
Examples – Staff Groups • Partnerships with Staff: • Behavioural Intervention Team - a multi-disciplinary team of professionals at UTM who strategize and address behaviours on campus that could evolve into high-risk or crisis situations • Membership of the B.I.T.
Examples – Staff Groups • Staff Committees and Training on Workplace violence, dealing with difficult behaviour, counterfeit money, safe school visits, appropriate referrals, crime & property protection, personal safety • CCTV, intrusion alarms, crime alerts
Partnerships with Local Police • Daily reporting on all campus crimes and serious incidents • Alerted to events that may involve crimes or need for assistance • Training initiatives • Community outreach – Open House • SPEAR program • Mutual aid, respect and assistance
Questions & Answers • Questions & Answers • Thank you