Many of you are probably wondering, what is SafeGrowth? I had the same question when it was first introduced to me. Essentially, SafeGrowth is a program designed for professionals and residents interested in community development, design, planning, and neighborhood revitalization. The course introduces participants to problem solving methodologies, 1st and 2nd Generation CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles, and the approaches necessary to build sustainable neighborhood safety plans.
The basic approach of SafeGrowth is to build the capacity of each neighborhood to implement crime prevention strategies tailored to that area with their stakeholders (police, planners, business associations, and various community associations). In every neighborhood, residents want to be safe and secure. In other words, they have a vested interest in the livability in that place. That is why, at the core, the SafeGrowth philosophy adopts the position that crime is best tackled within the neighborhood by activating functional local groups in collaboration with trained change agents – neighbors themselves.
So Really, What Is It?
I gave you all the textbook definition above, but to me, SafeGrowth encompasses the people, the passion, and the power of communities. It’s a strategic way to bring everyone to the table- to have hard conversations, share “wild” ideas, and create detailed work plans. Usually, safety efforts are led by police departments. With this program design, community-based organizations like Community Development Corporations (CDCs) oversees safety efforts, with the police and stakeholders working alongside in support. In my community specifically, the CDC (Avondale Development Corporation) is the source of everything Avondale. The comprehensiveness Quality of Life plan they created focuses on bringing together residents, leaders, and community development experts to establish community goals for the future, decide on priorities, and get the wheels turning on positive changes. In my opinion, The Avondale Quality of life is the blueprint for establishing and re-building trust and strengthening police-resident-stakeholder relationships.
Over a 3-day training course in June 2022, three neighborhood CDCs were brought together to learn the SafeGrowth methodology. During the course, we learned how to conduct safety audits and site visits, how to pick small projects that make a huge difference, and how to effectively bring our stakeholders in. I work in Avondale, so I’ll provide more details on our project.
With the expertise of community residents, Cincinnati Police Department, and Avondale Development Corporation (neighborhood CDC), we chose to take on an abandoned park. We conducted research on the background of the park and the owners, conducted site visits and safety audits at the park’s location, and from there we started a “visioning” plan. This plan contains all our ideas for the park, like what it should look like and feel like.
For us, this part of the process was the most challenging but most important. It’s easy to name all the things and decorations we’d like to see in a space, but the challenge comes with deciding what the community will most benefit from, and how funding plays a part. During this stage, we chose to identify stakeholders and invite them to a presentation our of project. A few of our key stakeholders include the Cincinnati Zoo (located less than 30 seconds from the park), Cincinnati Recreation Commission (owners of the park), and Related Affordable (housing agency that renovated the apartment complex right behind the park.)
The partners I mentioned above were ecstatic to learn about our project, and eager to collaborate with us. Since September 2022, we’ve been meeting regularly with our partners and their partners, in order to develop a comprehensive and detailed workplan for our revitalization project. Stay tuned for updates along the way!