Pathway Patrol

1. Pathway Patrol 2004 Expansion Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

2. Presentation Overview • Where we are • Where we want to be • How to get there • Next steps • The time is now Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

3. Background • Volunteer program • Improve safety and security of all pathway users • Encourage courtesy among user groups • Promote active living Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

4. History — Origins • 1995: Community initiative • Owls’ Nest asks Mayor for a volunteer patrol to improve security on recreation pathway • 1996: Steering committee planning • Councillor Ron Kolbus champions • 1997: First Patrol • From Lakeside Gardens to Champlain bridge • Pilot project for Ontario Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

5. History — Expanding Areas and Roles • 1998: Greenboro expansion • 1998: Safety blitzes • 1999: Hintonburg expansion • 2000: Trans-Canada Trail marshals • 2001: Expansion to Ottawa Locks • 2003: Pinecrest Creek expansion • 2004: City-wide? Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

6. Why safer pathways and more active residents? • 17.5 million users of the recreational pathways each year, 87% of which are NCR residents • Recent public and media attention to safety concerns and city-wide coverage in light of Ardeth Wood murder • Not enough coverage: only 4 of 21 wards represented by Pathway Patrol Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

7. Why safer pathways and more active residents? …2 • Promotion of physical activity and healthy weight are mandatory Public Health programs • Social and economic costs of inactivity: child and adult obesity epidemic • Increase of 1% in physical activity participation rate among Ontarians would result in annual health care savings of $31million dollars • Benefits: Healthier residents, less congestion, reduced pollution, and fewer crashes Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

8. How the Pathway Patrol Increases Safety • Monitoring • Patrollers observe and report hazards • Users know paths are monitored • Intervention • First aid, minor repairs, debris clean-up, 911 calls • Empowerment • Users become volunteers, take active measures to improve own education and safety • “Virtuous Circle” • More users  safer paths  more users… Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

9. Pathway Patrol — 20/20 Smart Growth Direction Mandate within four of seven 20/20 Guiding Principles: • Responsible and Responsive City • Healthy and active city • Green and Environmentally Sensitive City • Caring and Inclusive City Public expectation of: • Personal safety and security • Focus on walking, cycling and transit • Community engagement and partnership Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

10. Organization • General direction set by Steering Committee • Policy, budgetting • Paid co-ordinator during patrol season • City of Ottawa staff • Day-to-day operation managed by volunteers at some bases Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

11. City of Ottawa Recreation, Health, Transportation National Capital Commission Ottawa Heart Beat Police and Emergency Services Advocacy groups Citizens for Safe Cycling Women’s Initiatives for Safer Environments Local businesses City Councillors’ and Mayor’s offices Volunteer patrollers Steering Committee Representation Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

12. Cash budget variable from year to year Generally declining trend City of Ottawa makes up any shortfall In-kind contributions used where possible 2003 in-kind contributions: Uniforms Assistance kits Community centre facilities Training Lunches Safety blitz transportation Some training Kick-off attendance Computer equipment Cell phone 2003 Budget Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

13. 2001 Cash Budget Total: $17,527 Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

14. 2003 Cash Budget (projected) Total: $12,000 Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

15. 2001 Patrol Outcome • 42 fully-trained volunteer patrollers • 162 patrols conducted • Each of two hours with two patrollers • 5 first aid interventions • 3 emergency (911) calls • 2003 figures not finalized • Patrollers and shifts expected to be similar to 2001 Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

16. Expansion • Geographical • Operating season • Patroller density • Volunteer scope Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

17. Geographical Expansion • Objective: To be ready to operate in all or most urban areas and high-density suburban or exurban areas by summer 2004 • Benefits: • Broader security • Volunteers more able to patrol their home areas • Challenge: Organizational and financial Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

18. Operating Season Expansion • Objective: Operate from mid-April to mid-October. Planning and promotion/ recruitment continues off-season • Benefits: • Longer security • Increased cost-effectiveness • Challenge: Financial Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

19. Patrol Density Expansion • Objective: At least one shift per day on all patrolled pathways • Benefits: • Deeper security • Increased visibility • Challenge: Volunteers Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

20. Volunteer Scope Expansion • Objective: To involve volunteers in more of organizational, planning and ancillary (e.g. web site) roles • Benefit: • Increased cost-effectiveness • Deeper volunteer commitment • Better use of volunteers’ talent • Challenge: Directing volunteers’ efforts Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

21. Expansion Challenges — Funding • Planning for effective city-wide expansion • Part-time coordinator year-round • Full time coordinators during operating season • Estimated cash requirement: $50,000 Estimated cash requirement: $50,000 or reallocation of existing recreation staff for part-time coordinator/expansion planning role • NCC committed to providing funding support to expansion Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

22. Expansion Challenges — Organizational • Formalize relationship with City of Ottawa • Better visibility at senior staff, council levels • Clarify accounting of Pathway Patrol funds administered by City of Ottawa • Restructure steering committee Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

23. Expansion Challenges — Staffing • Pathway Patrol has historically suffered from not having paid staff in off-season • Funding issue • Implications: • Late start to patrolling season • Loss of continuity Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

24. Expansion Challenges — Year-Round Coordinator • Part-time in off-season • Off-season roles: • Planning — strategic and operational • Recruiting • Funding applications (from public bodies) and fundraising (from private bodies) • Outreach • Evaluation Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

25. Expansion Challenges — Councillor Role • Expansion into new community is driven by councillor, facilitated by Pathway Patrol • Councillor needed to: • Highlight community issues to Patrol • Promote Pathway Patrol to community groups and businesses • Awareness, recruiting, fund raising • Base and route planning Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

26. Expansion Challenges — Councillor Role • Pathway Patrol will develop and provide interested councillors with “expansion kit” • Pathway Patrol members may make presentations to councillor, ward stakeholders Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

27. Expansion Challenges — Volunteer Recruiting • Volunteer motivation improved by expanded patrol • Being able to patrol near home • Expanding social relationships • More recognition from better-known program • Higher diversity of volunteer roles • Recruiting promotions can use city-wide media with higher penetration and visibility Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

28. Next Steps • Committee presentations • Budget and funding commitment • Hiring part-time planner for winter 2003/04 • Preparation of expansion kit • Expansion execution Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

29. Next Steps — Committee Presentations • Recreation Advisory • Cycling Advisory • Transportation Advisory • Accessibility Advisory • Police Services • Emergency and Protective Services Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

30. Next Steps — Funding • NCC has committed to providing financial support to Pathway Patrol expansion • Can be provided on short notice • Need funding/reallocation of staff commitment in principle from City of Ottawa • Need separate item in City’s accounting system Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

31. Next Steps — Hiring • External sustainable funding to hire Program Coordinator or reallocation of resources within City of Ottawa Recreation to fill role part-time for 6 months or longer • Develop job description for off-season coordinator • Interviews, hiring to be conducted as soon as funds are available Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

32. Next Steps — Develop Expansion Kit • Patrollers, planner to meet with one councillor already with Patrol • Create package of information most useful from a councillor’s perspective • Hope to create “turn-key” implementation • Distribute to interested councillors • Late 2003 Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

33. The Time is Now • Window of opportunity created by public, political and media attention on pathway security • Public support has always been strong for the Pathway Patrol; now it’s focused Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

34. More information • mailto://info@ottawapathwaypatrol.ca • http://ottawapathwaypatrol.ca • Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre, 613-829-6629 Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

35. Additional Information NEXT FEW PAGES PROVIDE: • Patrol operational background • Patrol current training requirements • Need for added public exposure: blitzes and publicity Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

36. Patrol Operation • Uniformed volunteer patrollers • Operate in (at least) pairs • Bicycle, inline skate, walk • Currently Victoria Day to Labour Day • Currently three bases • Ron Kolbus Lakeside, Greenboro, Hintonburg Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

37. Patrol Service to Public • Carry assistance kits • One oriented to first aid, other oriented to mechanical repair and pathway maintenance • Cell phones for major emergencies • Monitor and report hazards • Role models in safe, courteous use • Positive, friendly approach to promote use Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

38. Pathway Patrol is Not… • Not bylaw enforcement or police • Patrollers have no legal authority • Not armed in any way • Not part of emergency response system • Not currently set up for uncoordinated, ad hoc patrols Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

39. Patroller Commitment • Each patroller commits to at least one two–hour patrol shift per week • Training and uniforms provided at no cost to patroller Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

40. Patrol Management • Patrollers must sign in and out at base before and after each shift • Base is usually community centre • Patrollers receive pinney, kit, cell phone from staff at base • Patrollers fill out report after each shift • Result: Pathway Patrol organization tracks every shift Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

41. Standard first aid CPR level C Pathway regulations Safety equipment — helmets and pads Communication with pathway users Personal security Universal precautions Bicycle, inline skate repair Disability awareness Multicultural awareness Patroller Training Syllabus Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

42. Patroller Training • Training time: • 30 hours for new patrollers • 11 to 15 hours for returning patrollers Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

43. Patroller Certification • At least 18 years old • Reference check • Police criminal record check • Patroller training completed • Bicycling or inline skating competency test Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee

44. “Safety Blitzes” • Community events • E.g. Folk Festival, Labatt 24-Hour Relay, Minto Bayshore Fun Days • Pathway Patrol provides booth, patrollers, literature and other hand-outs • Public education and publicity • Recruiting • Service — e.g.helmet fitting, minor bicycle tuning • Supervision — e.g. parade marshals Ken Dubuc, Chair, Pathway Patrol Steering Committee