Windsor’s Safety Village launches new anti-hate program

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A new program aimed at stemming the “alarming rise” in hate-motivated crimes has launched at Windsor’s Safety Village.

No Place for Hate – A Neighbourhood Watch Initiative is the latest offering by the not-for-profit community organization that provides safety and injury-prevention education programs to residents of Windsor and Essex County.

Organizers say the project’s aim is to be proactive in addressing hate-motivated crimes and offering support to residents who may be vulnerable to such acts based on various factors including race, ethnicity, religion, language, sex, age, mental or physical disability and sexual orientation.

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“This project will also focus on the importance of reporting these types of crimes,” said Avery Piazza, project co-ordinator.

“So unfortunately, hate crimes are vastly under reported crimes. We have seen that it is estimated that between 60 to 90 per cent of these crimes are never reported to police.”

The statistics, from a Royal Canadian Mounted Police report, point to a rising number of these crimes and the need to provide both education and support, Piazza added.

Funded through a Safer and Vital Communities provincial grant, the Safety Village will received will receive $163,000 for the two-year program through 2026, according to the village’s executive director Melissa Lauzon.

Lauzon said hate-motivated crimes pose a significant threat to the safety and well-being of residents in the City of Windsor especially due to the city’s diversity and a substantial number of newcomers to Canada.

Piazza said the project will also work toward the promotion of the Neighbourhood Watch Windsor program.

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“So a neighbourhood watch is a preventative community-based free program that City of Windsor residents can sign up for,” Piazza said.

“So basically, the whole project is working towards uniting neighbourhoods, neighbors to just be more cautious and aware of their neighbourhood and what’s going on,” she said.

“And it also provides helpful tips and tricks to prevent crimes, including hate crimes, from happening.”

Presentations can be tailored to suit youth or adults and groups can attend the safety village or Piazza said the presentation can be given at other locations.

“If this is going to be a program or information session geared towards newcomers or youth, we can make amendments to make sure that the information that they are receiving is, in fact, accessible to them,” Piazza said.

“And it’s not just going to be a bunch of information thrown at them. Everything can be tailored to meet the needs of whatever group is looking to gain access to this type of information and programming.”

To access the presentations, visit thesafetyvillage.com and go to the Neighborhood Watch tab, where the information on the No Place for Hate project is located. There is a link to contact the program co-ordinator.

The programs are provided free of charge.

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