Steinbach welcomes community safety and well-being plan

Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk said the community safety and well-being plan released last month is a tool for the community, not just for city council.

The plan is self-described as “a strategic framework designed to help guide and inform local decisions and actions to enhance safety and well-being.”

Steinbach was one of 12 communities initially announced as receiving the funding for the plan. Completion will trigger a further grant of $60,000 to be used toward desired outcomes indicated by the plan.

Developed by The Canadian Centre for Safer Communities, the three-person project team included Adam Thiessen from the City of Steinbach, Lisa Fast of Agape House and Brenda Brown of Life Culture.

The steering committee involved an additional 15 people from organizations including Hanover School Division, Steinbach Economic Development Corporation, Headway, Southern Health, Pat Porter Active Living Centre, Eden Healthcare, Steinbach Community Outreach, RCMP, the City of Steinbach, Youth for Christ, Steinbach Fire Department and the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce.

“The community safety and well-being plan reflects our shared belief that community safety is about more than laws and services alone,” Funk said. “It is about people – looking out for our neighbours, providing support to those who are struggling, and creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to live with dignity and purpose. At the same time, it affirms the importance of personal responsibility, accountability, and respect for the law.”

Priorities indicated by the plan include housing and houselessness, mental health and addiction, community safety and policing, children and youth, access to services, transportation and community belonging and inclusion.

Possible actions which are categorized as ongoing or to be determined are included in each category.

The entire report includes 74 potential actions tied to 23 specific goals.

Housing and houselessness

The report found that Steinbach has a lack of available housing, and that residents have both empathy and frustration toward those who are unhoused.

“Engagement data with persons with lived/living experiences highlight a strong need for affordable and supportive housing, shelter space, and more outreach support,” it stated.

Goals include increasing affordable housing, increasing housing support, increasing homelessness prevention efforts and creating a shelter space/emergency housing in Steinbach.

Mental health and addiction

“It is important for members of the community to have access to timely, compassionate, and culturally appropriate support to address their needs,” the report notes of people who are impacted by what they call mental health and substance use crisis. “Reducing stigma, expanding services, and focusing on prevention and early intervention can save lives and ease the burden on emergency and justice systems.”

Goals include increasing mental health and addictions support services, increasing the community’s understanding of mental health and addiction challenges and increasing culturally appropriate options for services.

Community safety and policing

Increasing feelings of safety and decreasing crime are what the plan calls key components.

“Policing can be one strategy to increase feelings of safety in the community in combination with other actions that address root causes of crime,” the report says. “Addressing the root causes of crime through prevention and increased support helps build trust and long-term stability.”

Goals include increasing the presence of law enforcement, increasing efforts to prevent and reduce crime and increasing training for law enforcement to help them respond to mental health crisis and domestic violence more effectively.

Children and youth

Fostering healthy families is vital to building a strong and compassionate community according to the report.

“When families have access to the support, resources, and opportunities they need, children and young people are mor likely to grow up healthy, confident and resilient,” it said. “Investing in children and youth lays the foundation for lifelong community well-being.”

Goals include increasing recreation and leisure programming, reducing barriers to accessing youth programs, increasing services for children and youth and increasing access to childcare in Steinbach.

Access to services

The report notes that the ability to access vital services and supports in and around the community is essential for well-being.

“Increased access and reducing barriers to services and supports directly impact the quality of life and long-term resilience of the community,” the report stated.

Goals include increasing the number of health-care practitioners in a variety of disciplines, increasing awareness of existing health-care services and reducing barriers to health care in Steinbach.

Transportation

Noted as another priority, the report highlights the importance of a variety of options when it comes to transportation.

“Whether it is through a public transit system, bike lanes or ride share options, access to transportation is important in ensuring that residents have access to necessary resources and services including health care, creational opportunities and employment,” it said. “Lack of transportation both within Steinbach and to neighbouring communities, can create barriers to services and inequitable outcomes for individuals without personal vehicles.

Goals include increasing affordable public transportation options and increasing active transportation routes in Steinbach.

Community belonging and inclusion

Enhancing community members’ sense of belonging is described as vital for creating a safe, inclusive and supporting environment where everybody feels valued and connected.

“This is especially important for vulnerable populations – such as newcomers, seniors, people with disabilities, and marginalized groups – who may face barriers to inclusion,” the report stated. “A strong sense of belonging fosters trust, reduces isolation, and builds resilience, helping all community members thrive together.”

Goals include increasing cultural supports, increasing 2SLBTQIA+ supports, increasing opportunities to celebrate and share cultures and identities and increase cultural safety training for law enforcement and front-line workers.

“This plan really just summarizes what’s already happening, by wonderful organizations in our community,” Funk said.

“This document isn’t so much for the city but it’s more a document for the organizations in our community that are already doing the wonderful work that they’re doing,” he said. “It will help them make decision that will benefit our city and the people in our city.”

The $60,000 promised by the province has not yet arrived and Funk said they’re not sure yet about the parameters of the grant and how it will be spent.