The goal of walks is to help people in trouble and deal with safety issues in the area
Residents of the Vanier neighborhood took to the streets on Tuesday night to start a new project to make the neighborhood safer.
The first safety walk, which was called “Good Neighbours” and was led by the safety committee of the Vanier Community Association, took place from 7 to 9 p.m. About half a dozen people from the area joined the walk.
The head of the group’s safety committee, Myka Delisle-Spencley, said in an interview on CBC’sOttawa Morning A group of people who live in the neighborhood came up with the idea.
“There are too many homeless people and drug addicts right now. She said, “It’s unbearable.””We got a lot of requests from people who were fed up with the problems they were seeing and the city’s lack of action.”
“After talking about it, we decided that we could start walking around the neighborhood ourselves to find out what’s going on and how we can help.”
She also said that many people in the community are afraid to go outside because of crime and safety fears.
She said, “I think people will feel safer if they know there are people out there talking to different groups.”
‘Being a good neighbour
The first meeting started with an orientation at the Centre Pauline-Charron community center. During this time, organizers answered questions and talked about what to expect.
Delisle-Spencley told the people who went on the walk that she hopes the initiative will become a regular thing. She also said that the goal of the community association is to do the walk three times a week, every week.
Then, a group of residents walked around Montreal Road and McArthur Avenue to find the most dangerous spots and give food and water to people in need.
One person in the group was also given naloxone, and members of the group called emergency services to help.
Andrew Lumsden, the president of Vanier, said he came out to offer whatever help he could.
“I just hope that we can see homeless people as people who deserve to live with dignity,” he said. “I’m trying to fight against what I think is an arrogant attitude in society.”
Dave Shymanski also lives in Vanier, and he took part in Tuesday night’s safety walk.
“It’s sad to see someone you know having a mental health problem in the middle of Montreal Road,” he said. “And sometimes it can be scary, as an individual on your evening walk, going to help.” “So you’ll need to do this in groups.”
Lynda Fish, a member of the community association, said she hopes the project will get more people in the neighborhood to help those living on the edge.
She said that if people did that, they might better understand the problems that poor and homeless people face and how to help them.
She said, “Not just for me or my neighbors, but also for these people on the street. Let’s make it safe for them, too.”
‘Not a patrol
Delisle-Spencley was quick to point out that the group does not want to be seen as a patrol. Instead, they want to get to know their neighbors, no matter where they live or what their personal situation is.
“Everyone is our neighbor, whether they live in a house or on the street,” she said. “Everyone has a responsibility to be a good neighbor.”
Delisle-Spencley said, “It’s not about fighting the homeless and other vulnerable people.””It’s about fighting for the homeless and those who are weak.”
She said that the group is helping Rideau-Vanier Coun.Stephanie Plante, who was also there for the walk on Tuesday.
Plante said earlier in the day during an interview that she was proud of the people in her ward for working together to start this project.
“We have trouble with crime. We have problems with needles that are thrown away. “It’s clear that the opioid crisis is very bad here,” Plante said.”We can’t solve this problem unless everyone works together to find solutions.”