Working on safety
Grande Prairie is a safe place to be. But we can always do better, and many residents don’t feel safe. Promoting a safer community needs to be a priority for Council.
If re-elected, I intend to advocate for:
Giving a stronger voice to the Police Advisory Committee to ensure that policing priorities are meeting community needs.
Creating discounted or free opportunities for residents to access Mental Health First Aid courses to that they can help and properly refer friends, family, or colleagues in crises.
Working with communities to explore engineering solutions to slow down traffic on problematic residential arterial roads, especially those with a school. Solutions could include curb bump-outs for pedestrians, planted medians, or better marking of school and playground zones. When it comes to traffic safety, enforcement should be the last resort.
Stronger support for Neighbourhood Associations to help residents meet their neighbours. Having connected neighbours is the best defense against crime and the best way to make sure help is immediately available in crises.
Stronger support of non-profits that help people in crises.
Evidence based approaches to COVID-19 response while undertaking advocacy for the provincial government to not download health decisions to businesses, non-profits, and municipalities.
Prioritizing Opioid Crises response, with a focus on reaching residents who need help but are not street involved (street involved people deserve help too, but have been the focus of past efforts).
Dedicating police resources to following up on and addressing reports of property crime.
During my time on Council, I undertook the following work to promote safety in Grande Prairie:
Brought forward this successful motion regarding policing and mental health, which led to the formation of Grande Prairie’s Mobile Outreach Program.
Represented the City at a series of provincial consultation meetings discussing modernizing the Alberta Police Act.
Brought to Council the idea of forming a Police Advisory Committee primarily composed of members of the public. Successfully advocated for its formation.
Chaired the Opioid Response Task Force.
Successfully advocated for flashing crosswalk beacons and dynamic signs that tell you how fast you are going to be added across the City.
Worked on the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Preparedness Committee to put Emergency Social Services plans in place. These plans prepare us to care for disaster evacuees.
Voted against renewing the Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) program. I’m not fundamentally opposed to, but know that our program ignores several best practices. My primary concerns: the contractor’s payment is linked to how many tickets they send, and there is lack of proper oversight regarding site selection. More information here.
Do you have questions, ideas, or feedback? I’d love to hear from you! Find me on social media (@DylanBresseyGP) or click here to contact me.