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Block Parent Program in Leslieville

So, after reading that Scotia Bank Assault Thread and giving it some thought, I've been thinking about starting a "Block Parent" movement in Leslieville. I know when I was growing up in Toronto, I know I felt better, and I'm certain my parents felt better, walking to school or to the park knowing I had a safe place to seek refuge in case of an emergency along the way.

I LOVE this neighborhood, but honestly, sometimes I feel a little unsafe when I see a drug deal going down, or hear about violent crimes happening here, or when my car gets broken into for the 3rd time in 12 months. My child is too young to venture out on his own any time soon, but as a parent, I think it's really important to contribute to the overall safety of the neighborhood, and I guess I'm the kind of person who needs to do something. Community action is a good way to start cleaning up a neighborhood, and this is something fairly easy to do.

I hope some of you will join me in researching and hopefully implementing this program.

Here is a link to the Block Parent website for more information:

http://blockparent.ca/about.htm

Tags: action, block, community, neighborhood, parents, saftey

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nina jones on August 16, 2010 at 10:45am

I'd be interested too.
when growing up in Lawrence Park, there was a block parent program and as a child I found it comforting to see the signs in peoples windows. If I can give a child the same comfort, I would be thrilled.
Please let me know how I can help.

way to go Tara.

Permalink Reply by Nina jones on August 16, 2010 at 10:46am

Hi Rob,
A friendly suggestion.. when joining social media groups such as this to get your message out, speaking positively will always help!

Permalink Reply by Allie on August 16, 2010 at 2:02pm

Hi Tara, you should be commended for your desire to improve the neighbourhood. Since you are reviewing the block parent information, are you able to comment on what the difference is between the block parent program and the neighbourhood watch program?

Given that the neighbourhood watch is already being supported by the police department in the area, and assuming the programs are not significantly different, it may good to put resources behind the one that already has some traction. I think that we sometimes think that something new is needed to solve a problem, when really we just need more of what someone is already doing.

Of course if the block parent progam is vastly superior, then of course the additional time and effort would be worth it.

Permalink Reply by Amber Mac on August 16, 2010 at 3:42pm

Hi Tara,

I would love to support this in any way (also live in Leslieville).

On a side note, I have a toddler and we have frequented the many playgrounds in our neighbourhood. Most of them are ok, but some of them are constantly filled with trash on a regular basis. Aside from that, the equipment is old (e.g. metal "baby" slides on a hot summer day aren't great) and there are often sketchy characters around.

I have been to a great little park across from Jimmie Simpson that I think the community nearby helped to build. Is there anything you think we as parents could also do to clean up Leslieville's parks?

-Amber

Permalink Reply by Officer Rob on August 16, 2010 at 4:17pm

Hi Nina

Thanks for the assistance as I mentioned I am working my way around the new media.

Rob McDonald

Permalink Reply by Officer Rob on August 16, 2010 at 4:24pm

Hi Gabrielle

Any program that helps make the community safe is worth investigating, I do know that when the programs ended a number of years ago in Toronto that the participation level across the city was very low. If there is enough interest I may be able to pitch the idea to our unit commander as a potential pilot program and see what happens.

Rob McDonald

Permalink Reply by Officer Rob on August 16, 2010 at 4:57pm

Hi Everyone

The two programs are very distinct in that the concept of Neighbourhood Watch is to keep an eye out for each other and your properties and if you see anything out of the ordinary to contact the police as well as hosting events such as neighbours nite out get to know each other as well as community safety walks as well as Watch Captains are also provided with information to share with their streets about community safety. Block Parent is more intimate as you are providing a place of safety and shelter for children and requires a different type of involvement with the police.

Ihope this helps.

Rob

Permalink Reply by Tara on August 16, 2010 at 8:55pm

Allie, both the Block Parent program and the Neighbourhood Watch are excellent community programs. They are the same in that they rely on community involvement in order to improve the safety and wellbeing of a community, but they are different in that Neighbourhood Watch is an effort to primarily protect property and prevent and report crime, while Block Parent is a community effort to ensure the safety of our children.

Block Parents are responsible adults who care sufficiently about the well-being of children and others to volunteer their homes as a temporary refuge in an emergency. All Block Parents are screened by the police and are given instructions on the program by local volunteers. The Block Parent window sign is shown only when someone over the age of 18 is available to answer the door. If the sign is not displayed, this does not mean that no one is home, only that the Block Parent is not available to offer immediate assistance. In addition to the primary goal of making communities safer for children, the Block Parent Program deters criminals and trouble makers. The network of Block Parent homes is a visible reminder that citizens are watchful in their neighbourhood.

A Block Parent may be called upon to offer their home as a place of safety when someone is in a dangerous or frightening situation such as:

* bullied
* lost, hurt or ill
* caught in severe weather
* frightened by a stranger

A Block Parent assists persons in distress by telephoning the appropriate emergency service (police, fire, ambulance, etc.) when necessary.

Its one of the easiest ways to volunteer in your community.

Permalink Reply by Tara on August 16, 2010 at 9:00pm

Officer Rob, I'd be very interested in your help. At the end of this week will be contacting the Toronto Police Department requesting assistance in starting this community program in Leslieville. I'd appreciate your assistance. Could we make an appointment to speak with each other on Tuesday or Wednesday regarding this issue?

Permalink Reply by Tara on August 16, 2010 at 9:03pm

I love that park across from Jimmie Simpson! I recall when it went up. I wonder how we could get a hold of the citizens that spearheaded that project and get some pointers from them?

Permalink Reply by Tara on August 16, 2010 at 9:27pm

Thanks everyone for your interest in becoming Block Parents. I'm really happy to see the number of you stepping forward, and I'm sure we'll have even more volunteers once we get this thing rolling.

So to start, I'm going to contact Ontario Block Parent Program and tell them that Leslieville is indeed interested in starting a program here. Then on Thursday or Friday I will contact the Toronto Police Department to request their assistance as outlined by the Block Parent Program. Next, I'll need to form a committee of 4-6 volunteers. We will at first be a "potential committee" becuase any official Block Parent committees must be approved by the local police services. However, I will need some help getting this off the ground, so I'd like to form a interest committee to undertake the task of starting up the program.

If you are interested, please contact me via email at: tara@leslieviller.com

I understand that some of you would like to volunteer only as Block Parents once we get the program going, and that's cool, we'll need you. For those of you who might be interested in a little more, please contact me and we can have some kind of an information meeting to decide if being on a BLock Parent Committee is something you want to do.

Also, if you want to just be part of the group that gets the BLock Parent Program off the ground, but not part of the actual committee that will oversee it, please don't hesitate to step forward. All help is welcome.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Permalink Reply by Officer Rob on August 17, 2010 at 4:49pm

Hi Tara

When contacting headquarters may i suggest that you speak to the Community Mobilization Unit they can be reached via the main number at (416) 808-2222 and as for speaking to me you can call me directly at (416) 808-5579 and we can set something up.

Rob