The Premier's Crime Prevention Awards, established to recognize the exceptional work and efforts of Island groups and individuals who are working to build safer communities, will be presented Wednesday, November 3, during a ceremony hosted by his Honour Gilbert Clements, Lieutenant Governor, at Fanningbank.
"The awards acknowledge the year-round commitments Islanders make towards crime prevention and strengthening community partnerships," noted Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island. "Island communities have a rich tradition of working together to improve the quality of life for everyone. This is an opportunity for the province to recognize the achievements of Islanders in their fight against crime."
The Children and Youth category will be awarded to the Baby Think It Over Program sponsored by Lake of Shining Waters IODE. This program helps young adults experience first-hand the emotional, financial and social costs of parenting by providing infant simulators to schools as an innovative abuse-prevention teaching tool.
Chief Paul Cousins, Kensington, will be recognized in the Criminal Justice System category for consistently going above and beyond the call of duty. Chief Cousins received recognition and support from his community by volunteering time and energy to the community and dealing with crime in a problem-solving manner.
The Organization category will be awarded to the Évangéline Area RCMP Community Consultative Group who have planned and implemented a wide array of activities for the Évangéline community. Their emphasis has been placed on investing in families and youth, and modelling a partnership approach to community mobilization.
June Sanderson, guidance counsellor, Eliot River Elementary School, has worked tirelessly to prevent and reduce family violence, both through her role as a guidance counsellor and also as a volunteer. Her dedicated work over many years in strengthening families, preventing violence and teaching non-violent, conflict-resolution skills deserves recognition in the Family Violence Prevention category.
Tami Martell, Sturgeon, will receive an Individual category award for her single handed work as a volunteer to bring about awareness and action on verbal abuse. With the support of her family she has demonstrated that one person, one family, can make a difference.
Father Brady Smith, Serenity Place, Charlottetown, has volunteered his time and energy to help those incarcerated and those with addictions, as well as their families, showing great compassion to all whose lives he touches. Father Brady Smith will be recognized in the Individual category.
The Premier's Crime Prevention Awards provide Islanders with a better understanding of all the diverse activities which make up crime prevention. Crime Prevention Week is part of a provincial long-term strategy to build safer communities.
For more information contact Jill Lightwood, Justice Resource Centre at 368-4583.