Latest news with #Crockwell
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
St. John's boosting security at parks over safety concerns, says mayor
Park visitors in St. John's this summer might notice additional bodies in uniform, as the city bolsters its security inside popular public green spaces. Bannerman Park will now have a patrol of private security hired by the city. St. John's Mayor Danny Breen said the move to bring in private guards is a response to calls from the community about safety. "After speaking to residents and hearing their concerns … we added additional security there to what we already had in Bowring Park," Breen told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show. "As with other parks in the area … we're keeping an eye on everything and monitoring it to see what further measures may have to be taken." Public safety was recently identified as a top issue in several recent surveys conducted by the city, including a recent feedback forum on the annual Water Street pedestrian mall. Breen didn't say whether the city was considering putting security in other areas, adding it works closely with the RNC. St. John's isn't alone in working to address safety concerns, the mayor said, adding that people might have already noticed increased security inside private businesses. "I think there's just a heightened concern for safety in the city. And I think the city parks and properties are no different than the private ones that you see," said Breen. In April, some members of council, including Breen, said they wanted RNC officers to patrol downtown due to safety concerns. In response, RNC Deputy Chief Colin McNeil said foot patrols would not make the downtown safer and would not be a good use of police resources. Breen said private security will also be present at the pedestrian mall, which is opening this week. "Our staff are monitoring just to make sure that the complement we have is working and sufficient," he said. Angela Crockwell, executive director of the St. John's-based youth support organization Thrive, said she understands the public's concern about crime and the need to make sure people are safe, but worries the presence of guards could have the unintended consequences of targeting vulnerable people. "We know that marginalized and vulnerable populations often can get targeted," said Crockwell. "I would hope that those people who are doing security have appropriate training to make sure that their policies and practices reflect, again, not targeting certain populations." Crockwell wants to see further support and investments in programs that help the vulnerable, like Thrive's outreach program. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.
CBC
05-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
Youth support organization expands education program with help from government funding
Over 100 young people will receive their high school diploma through St. John's-based youth support organization Thrive this year. Newfoundland and Labrador's Department of Education announced $200,000 in funding for Thrive to deliver the Canadian Adult Education Credential test and other programs. The money allows the organization to hire another teacher and serve 25 to 30 more youths between 12 and 18 years old. "That wouldn't take into account the additional teaching spaces or what we're doing outside the metro area, which is really fantastic because we have always had a waitlist," said Thrive executive director Angela Crockwell on Wednesday. The province's funding should eliminate that waitlist. "We're always bouncing between, like, 15 to 30 young people. So we're really optimistic that once we have the new teaching staff in place, we'll be able to eliminate that waitlist immediately," Crockwell said. Further, starting in the 2025-26 fiscal year, the province will provide $175,000 annually to support Thrive's operational cost, including outreach outside the northeast Avalon Peninsula region. Crockwell said the organization's education program changes lives. "Young people who thought post-secondary is never going to be for me, I can't land a full-time job, all of a sudden, the realization is, 'No, I just need to find the right fit. I am really smart. I can do this,'" she said. Education Minister Krista Lynn Howell views the funding as an investment opportunity. "By supporting our aspiring youth, we are supporting the future of Newfoundland and Labrador." Thrive has operated its education program for more than 15 years. The Department of Education says that has resulted in more than 1,000 young people improving their educational outcomes and pursuing post-secondary education and employment.
