Coalition planning ‘Safety Retreat’

While Rainy River District was recognized internationally as a “Safe Community” back in 2002, the Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition certainly isn’t resting on its laurels.
The group will meet to discuss its goals and objectives at its first-ever retreat this Wednesday in the committee room downstairs at the Civic Centre.
“We decided to have a retreat to discuss where we want to go in the next couple of years,” said RRVSC spokesperson Crystal Godbout. “Anybody who works in a safety-related field should be at the table.”
Thanks to the efforts of the RRVSC, Rainy River District was recognized internationally as a “Safe Community” three years ago. It was nationally recognized as such in 1998.
Godbout noted this retreat is a follow-up to that, in that for 12 years the coalition’s goal was recognition as a “safe community.” Now that that goal has been achieved, the local group has to keep its focus on maintaining—and improving—those standards of safety.
One area certain to be discussed at Wednesday’s retreat is bullying. Godbout and Fort Frances OPP Cst. Caroline Spencer attended an anti-bullying conference last month in Ottawa and will share what they learned there.
Other topics could include road safety and a “Passport to Safety” program, to name a few. “We really want to identify any areas where we might be lacking,” said Godbout.
She noted about 10 delegates have confirmed their attendance so far, including representatives from various district municipalities. But anyone who wants to attend Wednesday’s retreat still can register.
Those who would like to attend should contact Godbout at 274-3276 or e-mail her at crystal@rrfdc.on.ca
Godbout said the retreat is slated to run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., but noted how long it goes may depend on the total number of registrants.