B.C. recognized five community crime fighters today with Community Safety and Crime Prevention awards, and announced that applications open Monday for this year’s civil forfeiture grant funding – a boost to those striving to combat crime and address violence against women.

Over 120 community safety leaders gathered to recognize their peers, including:

• Kim Gramlich of Delta for introducing the first K9 intervention unit to support victims of trauma.
• Sgt. Paul Brookes of Victoria for promoting racial tolerance among youth.
• Haroon Bajwa of Richmond for a decade’s work promoting restorative justice as a response to crime.
• Kelowna’s Garth Letcher for creating a coalition of partners to support a safer downtown.
• Tim Agg of Vancouver received the award of distinction for a 30-year career empowering youth in the justice system to choose a better path forward.

The awards are also an opportunity to acknowledge that – while significant investments in the provincial anti-gang strategy, community safety, and policing are succeeding in driving down crime in B.C. – more can and must be done with the combined efforts of public safety partners throughout the province.

(flickr.com)

Grants will cover several categories this year, including anti-gang initiatives and youth crime prevention, the Vision for a Violence Free BC strategy, policing responses and restorative justice. Applications close Dec. 17, 2015, with grants awarded before the end of this fiscal year.

Quotes:                                                                                                                  

Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton –

“Today’s award recipients – and all those who have benefitted from B.C.’s civil forfeiture grant program – are testaments to the growing number of British Columbians committed to keeping our communities safe. We want criminals to know that they will find no safe haven in our province. With this year’s grants now open, we will continue to invest in those organizations doing meaningful work to transform their communities for the better.”

BC Crime Prevention Association president Marcie Flamand –

“British Columbia’s citizens, like the five dedicated individuals recognized today, play an integral role in preventing crime and making our communities safer. The accomplishments of all award winners and nominees should serve as an inspiration to us all, and I applaud their commitment to making B.C. a safer place.”

NASKARZ volunteer Tim Houchen –

“B.C.’s civil forfeiture grants have helped us engage with youth from Vancouver’s Downtown East Side to help them build skills, feelings of community and a sense of value, in a supportive environment. Whether restoring cars, bikes or taking outings to the go-kart track, these youth are able to develop practical skills and a sense of leadership and accomplishment that helps them navigate a positive path away from the lure of crime or gangs.”

Quick Facts:

• B.C. proclaimed Crime Prevention Week Nov. 1-7, 2015, to raise awareness of crime prevention strategies and highlight the contributions of British Columbians to community safety.
• The week culminated with the 17th annual Ministry of Justice Community Safety and Crime Prevention Awards, co-hosted by the ministry and the BC Crime Prevention Association.
• Five awards were presented to individuals and organizations demonstrating exemplary leadership in community safety and crime prevention.
• Civil forfeiture grant applications are open Nov. 9 until Dec. 17, 2015. Grants are determined through a fair, transparent process that gives consideration to various criteria and specialized categories. Final funding decisions will be announced by March 31, 2016.
• In April 2015, government invested $5 million in civil forfeiture grants to more than 220 projects focused on addressing violence against women and preventing crime.
• Government announced in September 2015 that $5 million over the next two years would be used to enhance community safety specifically targeting prolific, violent and gang-affiliated offenders.

Learn More:

How to make a grant submission: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/crimeprevention/grants

Read more about the 2015 winners of the Ministry of Justice Community Safety and Crime Prevention Awards: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/crimeprevention/awards/