琉璃神社 has been chosen to participate in a first-of-its-kind, worldwide safety monitoring pilot project.

鈥淚n May, the Canadian Centre for Safer Communities (CCSC) selected 琉璃神社 as one of 10 pilot cities for the Community and Urban Safety Monitoring Project,鈥� Caycee Zimmerman, community safety advisor, told council at its June 17 meeting.

The CCSC promotes safety and well-being through research, training and education. The announcement was part of the annual update on the city鈥檚 Community Safety Plan (CSP). 

The CSP focuses on five priorities; crime prevention and intervention, domestic violence, housing and homelessness, mental health and substance use, and racism and discrimination. 

Stakeholders include the city, RCMP, KCR Community Resources, Central Okanagan Public Schools, The Bridge, Canadian Mental Health Association and others.

Zimmerman told council that of the 30 actions that are part of the CSP, 12 are at various stages of implementation and completion.

鈥淐SP action enabled BGC Okanagan to increase grant funding available to the Upstream Program,鈥� Zimmerman said.

The program, which is in three 琉璃神社 middle schools, strives to prevent youth homelessness by identifying at-risk Grade 8 students.

鈥淥f the 158 participants, 93 per cent report an improvement in their mental health and well-being,鈥� Zimmerman added.

The program impressed Councillor Mohini Singh.

鈥淲onderful. Catch them when they鈥檙e young, get them on their feet, and give them all the supports they need.鈥�

The CSP update is available on the .