What would our communities look like if we consistently prioritized spending on education over spending on prisons? There are lessons to be learned from our neighbours to the south where several US states are looking long and hard at reversing the trend of priosn budgets trumping education.

The Interrupters, has been getting a LOT of press lately. That's not why I'm writing about it here as the 'Smart Link of the Day'. I'm writing about this film because it showcases the absolutely innovative approach of Chicago's Ceasefire program to curb gun related shootings and killings in that city.

Last year, I wrote about Judge Jimmie Edwards and the creative, down-to-earth work he does to reach out and catch the most vulnerable youth falling through the system in St. Louis, Missouri. He started his own school, run by his youth court, and gives youth another chance to get life back on track, and earn a high school diploma.

Who could turn down an invitation to an event called "Cookies and Crime Prevention"...... ? Community events often use the lure of food and edible goodies to draw out attendees. I fell for that trap when I asked to be a guest speaker for the Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association (VPNA) AGM last week! That's really only half the truth....

Whatever stereotypes you might have about youth and drugs and alcohol...... just put them aside for the moment. Youth, like any other group in our community, are affected by drugs and alcohol. While many will experiment with this or that drug and drinking, still more are motivated to use because of physical and/or emotional pain until it becomes a problem. How to help? How to intervene? How to prevent? 

One of the best ways to better understand and address the issues and challenges facing youth and substance use is to learn from them.

Last week was Crime Prevention Week across Ontario. It certainly was a busy one from our office at the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council. Here's the round up of activites.... they were diverse, we can say that much!!

It's a bird, it's a plane.... no, wait... it's Say Hi Gal and Say Hi Guy! In recognition of Crime Prevention Week across Ontario, Waterloo Region will be visited by these caped crime prevention crusaders to remind us that we all have a role to play in crime prevention and it can start with an act as simple as saying Hi!.

Everybody loves an infographic! They are so helpful in making a point that words on paper just can't do. As various delegations and experts appeared before the House of Commons during the debate on the omnibus crime bill, we were reminded of this great infographic from The Church Council on Justice & Corrections.

Over the past couple weeks, I’ve been writing about placemaking. In part because we just had a fantastic event with Cynthia Nikitin of the Project for Public Spaces, but also because placemaking is a great, ‘smart on crime’, crime prevention tool for neighbourhoods and communities.

It’s that time of year again. Time for that little film festival that grew. Time for “In The Mind’s Eye: Issue of Substance Use in Film + Forum”.