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Community Safety Awards
Award-Winning Volunteers Tackle Crime Through Prevention
(Ottawa)—Through this week’s Community Safety Awards, Crime Prevention Ottawa has uncovered a wealth of dedicated, driven volunteers who strive to empower their communities by creating a sense of security, belonging and pride. Among them are two winners, Ottawa Police volunteer Patrick Mates and the United Neighbours Environment and Beautification Working Group.
Community Safety Volunteer Award winner Patrick Mates has spent the past 53 years volunteering to make his community a better place to live. From scouting to soccer, youth justice and community safety, Mates has been there—and made a difference. He has volunteered as a soccer coach and administrator and later worked with young offenders to help keep them out of the court system.
In 2003, he joined the Ottawa Police Service as a Home Security Inspection volunteer at the Wellington Community Police Centre. Today, he coordinates the program and trains the Ottawa Police Service’s 350 Home Security Inspection volunteers. He also conducts home security inspections. Mates devotes 500 hours of each year to his role—a role he loves because he believes in it. He is passionate about helping people stay safe in their homes and their communities.
The United Neighbours Environment and Beautification Working Group, the Community Safety Volunteer Program Award winner, has 65 members who share a common belief that beautiful neighbourhoods help prevent crime. Established in 2008, this volunteer group is a model of collaboration—made up of residents, business owners, tenant associations, police, service providers and the local community housing board. Their goal? To connect neighbours, reduce crime and create a greater sense of security by ensuring everyone feels invested in their shared spaces.
The group has introduced community gardens, workshops, neighbourhood clean-ups, crime prevention through environmental design audits, special events, and a program to “Take Back Regina Lane” from speeders. On October 1st, 150 volunteers gathered at Pinecrest Terrace to build play structures donated by “Let Them Be Kids.” Today, the children have a welcoming, safe play area and parents and teenagers have a place to connect and talk. The result is that people of all ages and backgrounds are coming together to send a clear message that they care about their community.
Photos of winners and runner ups
Media releases of the 2011 CPO Community Safety Award
Ottawa’s 2011 Community Safety Award Winners Announced-November 7,2011
Community Safety Leaders Empower Youth and Families to Create a Better Ottawa
Community Safety Award Winners Preventing Crime, One Youth at a Time
Crime Prevention Leaders Celebrated from Banff-Ledbury to the ByWard Market
