#172: Is SafeTO Effective? Scott McKean, Manager, SafeTO

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

Part of my discussion on community safety was to include voices from government. Community members and organizations have been advocating for specific measures the City should be undertaking. I decided to invite Scott McKean on the Podcast. Scott is Manager in the City of Toronto, responsible for SafeTO, which is a community safety and well-being plan.

Will it incorporate some of the aspects community groups have been advocating for?

What is SafeTO?

SafeTO is a plan implemented by the City of Toronto to address gun violence in the city. It includes a number of measures such as increasing police presence in affected neighborhoods, investing in community-based programs, and working with other levels of government and community organizations to address the root causes of gun violence. The plan also focuses on prevention and early intervention, addressing issues such as poverty, lack of education and job opportunities, and mental health and addiction issues. The goal of the SafeTO plan is to reduce gun violence and improve community safety in Toronto.

What are Some of the Major Investments Introduced by SafeTO?

Some of the major investments that the SafeTO plan is making include:

1. Increasing police presence in affected neighborhoods: This includes hiring more police officers and investing in community policing initiatives.
2. Investing in community-based programs: This includes funding programs that address issues such as poverty, lack of education and job opportunities, and mental health and addiction issues.
3. Addressing the root causes of gun violence: The plan is working with other levels of government and community organizations to address issues such as poverty, lack of education and job opportunities, and mental health and addiction issues.
4. Increasing support for victims and families: This includes providing support for victims and families affected by gun violence, and investing in programs that address the long-term impacts of gun violence.
5. Investing in technology: This includes investing in technology such as cameras and gunshot detection systems to help prevent and reduce gun violence.
6. Supporting public education and awareness campaigns: This includes public education campaigns to raise awareness about the risks of gun violence and the importance of community safety.
7. Supporting research, data collection, and evaluation: This includes investing in research to better understand the causes of gun violence, collecting data on gun violence, and evaluating the effectiveness of the SafeTO plan.

Who has the City Invited to Inform SafeTO?

The City of Toronto is inviting a wide range of stakeholders to inform the SafeTO plan. This includes:

1. Community members: The City is engaging with community members, including residents of affected neighborhoods, to gather input and feedback on the SafeTO plan.
2. Community organizations: The City is working with community organizations, such as youth organizations, to gather input and feedback on the SafeTO plan.
3. Service providers: The City is engaging with service providers, such as health care providers, to gather input and feedback on the SafeTO plan.
4. Law enforcement: The City is working with law enforcement agencies, including the Toronto Police Service, to gather input and feedback on the SafeTO plan.
5. Other levels of government: The City is working with other levels of government, including the federal and

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