On Safe & Healthy Communities
"I have great respect for our emergency service providers – the fire department at the City and police and ambulance at the region. I also have to include our bylaw enforcement staff. I regularly speak out to ensure that the frontline men and women in these professions have the resources they need to protect and serve us when we need them the most. Both being safe, and feeling safe is a priority for our residents."
Over the past four years, and in previous terms, Berry has…
Going Forward, I will…
- Co-founded the COPS Youth Outreach program in the Chicopee neighbourhood, which this summer celebrated its 13th year.
- Supported the construction of Fire Station #7 to serve the City’s West side and previously supported the relocation of Fire Stations #3 and #4 into the ward for better community response times.
- As vice-chair of the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee pushed for the provision of Defibrillators at all City facilities in partnership with the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
- Served on the board of the Canadian Police Sector Council to address recruitment and retention issues in the policing profession.
- Provided ongoing support for community safety initiatives like Direct Detect through the Fire Department, community policing in our wards and the need for a visible police presence in Downtown Kitchener.
- Helped bring about the first municipal pitbull ban in Ontario and worked with the province towards achieving a province wide ban.
Going Forward, I will…
- Continue to work on the COPS Youth Outreach program including looking at ways to grow the program.
- Advocate with other levels of government to ensure we are getting adequate support for our emergency service providers and that $$$’s for things like the National Crime Prevention Council which have recently been cut, are restored.
- Examine where the City can better partner with local groups and agencies to address community safety issues.