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N.B. Housing Authority joins crime free multi-housing program

Sep 26, 2016 | 5:11 PM

North Battleford has the first housing authority in the province to have a complex approved by the crime free multi-housing program.

North Battleford Housing Authority manager Lorrieann Frohlich said staff and board made completing the program at the Cec Davis Estates buildings a priority to become the first housing authority complex in the crime free multi-housing program in Saskatchewan.

“We wanted to ensure our tenants were safe and it gave us a sense of community as well,” she said. “It’s supposed to help everybody work as a small community again and know your neighbour.”

Frohlich said the housing authority was in part prompted to put Cec Davis Estates through the program because of North Battleford’s reputation as a city high in crime.

“I think that’s the biggest thing, because everyone heard about the ‘crime stats capital of North Battleford,’ so everyone was on the bandwagon to do something about it,” she said.

The Cec Davis Estates complex joins Macro Properties in the North Battleford program, which was launched in 2014. The program requires property managers to first attend training in Saskatoon, then have buildings inspected by RCMP and the fire department.

The inspection usually results in recommendations to increase safety, such as adding locks or increasing visibility.

After changes are made, all tenants must attend a “safety social” to get to know each other and learn about crime reduction.

Frohlich said the housing authority had to make some changes at Cec Davis Estates, including changing doors and locks.

She said results from other jurisdictions show buildings that complete the program see a reduction in police calls for service by 20 to 70 per cent.

Sarah Rae is battlefordsNOW’s court and crime reporter. She can be reached at Sarah.Rae@jpbg.ca or tweet her @sarahjeanrae.