Edmonton Coalition of Crime Councils

Brief Description

The Edmonton Coalition of Crime Councils (ECCC) initiative supported the development of community-led crime prevention groups (‘crime councils’) in areas of Edmonton with crime and disorder issues. The ECC looks to address multiple social disorder issues including, but not limited to, property crimes, drug dealing, gang activity, prostitution, family violence, graffiti, vagrancy, and panhandling.

Goals

The main goals of the Edmonton Coalition of Crime Councils are the creation of a city-wide coalition of crime councils.

Clientele

The clientele of the Edmonton Coalition of Crime Councils are citizens living within communities affected by social disorder issues.

Core Components

What began as a steering committee made up of partnering organizations, a coordinator, and representatives from a few core crime councils, is now a strong, organized city-wide coalition made up primarily of crime council members.

16 crime prevention groups are members of the coalition, comprising over 160 members ranging from business owners to professionals to residents, and from seniors to youth. Members meet monthly to share ideas and strategies, organize learning opportunities for their members, and collaborate on community-based crime prevention initiatives.

Implementation Information

Some of the critical elements for the implementation of this program or initiative include the following:

• Organizational requirements: The Coalition is run primarily by representatives from crime councils.
• Partnerships: Number of crime council groups has grown by 60 per cent for a total of 16 groups.
• Training and technical assistance: Limited information on this topic.
• Risk assessment tools: Limited information on this topic.
• Materials & resources: Limited information on this topic.

International Endorsements

The most recognized classification systems of evidence-based crime prevention programs have classified this program or initiative as follows:

• Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development: Not applicable.
• Crime Solutions/OJJDP Model Program Guide: Not applicable.
• SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices: Not applicable.
• Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy: Not applicable.

Gathering Canadian Knowledge

Canadian Implementation Sites

The project was implemented in Edmonton, Alberta from April 2012 – July 2013.

Main Findings from Canadian Outcome Evaluation Studies

No information available.

Cost Information

The value to groups belonging to a coalition is evident in the enthusiasm of their members as they share ideas, develop common goals, learn, and support each other.

Due to the qualitative nature of the data, a Social Return on Investment calculation was not completed for this project. However, annual investment to support coordination and administration of the coalition would help ensure continued crime prevention efforts within our communities.

Funding was provided by the Safe Communities Innovation Fund (SCIF), Government of Alberta.

References

Alberta Community Crime Prevention Organizations. (2015). Social Return on Investment (SROI) Case Study: Edmonton Coalition of Crime Councils. Recipient of Safe Communities Innovation Fund, Government of Alberta. Available from: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/safe-communities-innovation-fund-pilot-project-executive-summaries

For more information on this program, contact:

Edmonton Police Service
Jacqueline Biollo
Telephone: (780)391-6012
E-mail: Jacqueline.biollo@edmontonpolice.ca