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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 Gwen on July 29, 2010 at 8:11am

I've just asked them for more info - great idea!

Permalink Reply by Jen H on August 2, 2010 at 8:15pm

I'd support this!

Permalink Reply by Paul & Chelsey on August 3, 2010 at 2:30pm

We would support this as well

Permalink Reply by Tara on August 3, 2010 at 2:48pm

Great, if you go to the website, there's a link to request more info. I'm currently waiting for more info myself. If there's more to organize than just signing up, I'll post that info here. In the meantime I encourage everyone interested to go to the webiste (http://blockparent.ca/about.htm) directly and request more info.

Thanks

Permalink Reply by Lori Konert on August 3, 2010 at 5:25pm

This is a great idea- I support this- going to the website now:)

Permalink Reply by Gwen on August 4, 2010 at 8:39am

Here's the response I got....

Hi Gwen,

I would like to thank you for your interest in our Program. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. Our Block Parent Programs are community based and unfortunately, we currently do not have a Program in Toronto at this time. The Block Parent Program is a viable Crime Prevention Program needed in today's society and we would very much like to have it established in your area. If you are interested in the possibility of starting up a program in your area it would be very helpful for you to contact your local Police Department and find out whether this is something they would support because we do require all of our Block Parent homes to be screened every 2 years. Many of our communities have this service provided free of charge from their local police services.
If this is an endeavour you may be interested in, please advise me of your mailing address and I will provide you with further information.

Sincerely,

Erin Susin
Administrative Assistant
Ontario Block Parent Program Inc.
1-800-563-2771
obppi@live.com
www.blockparent.on.ca

Permalink Reply by Tara on August 4, 2010 at 2:10pm

I got the same message. I responded that I would be happy to contact the local police station as soon as I receive the info in the mail.

Permalink Reply by Officer Rob on August 4, 2010 at 7:41pm

Hi Folks

I am new to the leslieviler as we here at 55 Division are slowly breaking into the social media as a means to get our message out. There is currently no Block Parent program in Toronto but Neighbourhood Watch is still going and we are always encouraging people to join. If you have any questions feel free to contact me via email or old school phone at (416) 808-5579.

P.C. Rob McDonald 55 Division CPO

Permalink Reply by Tara on August 4, 2010 at 9:29pm

Hi Officer Rob, welcome to The Leslieviller.

Do you know who I would contact at 55 Division about starting a Block Parent Program?

Permalink Reply by Officer Rob on August 5, 2010 at 12:30pm

Hi Tara

The starting of a Block Parent program with police involvement would have to come TPS headquarters and currently I know the focus is on many other community based policing iniatives.

Rob McDonald

Permalink Reply by Gabrielle on August 15, 2010 at 10:26pm

Hi Tara,

I think this is a great, important idea for our community. Officer Rob does not think this program will take precedence over others on the "list". Could we put together a letter to the Police service voicing our concerns and why our community needs support with this program? I'm sure from this site alone we could get lots of signatures and others can be collected by canvassing our streets and neighbours.

Thanks for getting this started,

Gabrielle

Permalink Reply by Tara on August 16, 2010 at 8:49am

Hi Gabrielle,

I'm in the process reviewing the BLock Parent information and will shortly make contact with the Police to see if they will assist us in implementing this program in our community. So far my understanding is that the police departments in most Block Parent Communities primarily assist by vetting the block parents without charge. Surely the Toronto Police Department will help with that if they are aware there is an interest in the community.

Let's give them a chance to offer their help when I call them this week. I post here regarding the outcome of my conversation and if we need to offer further convincing about Leslieville's desire to implement this program, I think your suggestion is a good way to go!