Community safety is always top of mind for residents in a neighbourhood. Staying connected with your community and your neighbours is your best safety defence, but employing some techniques can help make your neighbourhood safer for the people who live there.
- Know your neighbours: this is probably the most important and helpful tip, but having a good relationship with your neighbours will keep a sense of safety and security in your community. Neighbours can look out for each other and watch over another’s property when they are out of town.
- Keep security a priority: taking preventative measures to keep your home secure will not only prevent break-ins at your home, but help prevent them in your community too. Burglars will lurk in areas where they can hit multiple places at once, so always lock your doors, and consider added measures like security systems or motion-sensored lights.
- Report suspicious activity: the second you notice suspicious activity in your neighbourhood, report it to your local police station. Another feature that the Calgary Police has, is an online crime map, so you can literally see what kinds of criminal activity are going on in your neighbourhood.
If you live in a community with a school, there are extra precautions to be aware of with the presence of so many children. As a refresher, here’s a look at some of the top safety tips and reminders for school zones and playground zones.
CITY OF CALGARY
- In 2014, all 180 school zones in Calgary were converted to playground zones. New hours were implemented to reflect the times that school playgrounds and areas are being used by children and pedestrians.
- Playground zones are in effect in Calgary from 7:30 am to 9pm. Fact: 20 per cent of pedestrian collisions in school zones happen between 6 and 9 pm.
- The speed limit in playground zones is 30 km/hour.
- You can request a playground zone sign in your area here.
CITY OF AIRDRIE
- Playground zones in Airdrie are in effect 8:30 am to one hour after sunset.
- School zones in Airdrie are in effect 7:30 am to 5 pm on school days.
- The speed limit in both playground and school zones is 30 km/hour.
For increased safety in school zones, the Canadian Automobile Association recommends the following tips:
- Always obey speed limits in school zones.
- Avoid using smartphones or other distractions while in school zones (and always).
- To reduce congestion in school zones, park a block away for drop-off and pick-up of kids.
If you have some additional community safety tips, please feel free to reach out to us on social media to share.
