Report keeps tabs on Pickering's progress in 52 areas

Pickering crime rates down: newest sustainability report

Durhamregion.com
Feb. 7, 2018
Kristen Calis

Residents are feeling safer and local crime rates are down, according to the latest report the city uses to create a more sustainable municipality.

Healthy society is one of the categories in the Measuring Sustainability Report, which addresses 52 indicators grouped into five categories, the others being healthy environment, healthy economy, responsible development and responsible consumption.

The newest report was recently released.

"We tried really hard to make sure we are measuring things that were directly related to Pickering,"said Pickering's sustainability co-ordinator, Chantal Whitaker.

In 2010, the city produced the first report, and after staff engaged with stakeholders to determine important areas to focus on, the second was released in 2012, which included more indicators that the first.

"Having baseline measurements, and tracking this data, allows us to measure our growth, identify challenges and continue to drive progress in meeting our evolving sustainability objectives,” said Mayor Dave Ryan.

Examples of indicators measured include air quality, employment rate, affordable housing, crime and safety, volunteerism, childhood asthma and adult diabetes rates, and energy use.

“Establishing those priorities is really important,” said Whitaker. “You need to measure how you’re doing and how your partners are doing to know if you’re on the right path for all the areas of interest.”

The report reflects efforts by residents, businesses and community groups to help further Pickering’s journey to becoming a more sustainable city.

One of the indicators, crime rates, shows criminal code violations at 19 Division (Ajax-Pickering), dropped from 9,046 in 2008 down to 6,976 in 2010 and even more to 6,215 in 2015.

“Not only are our crime rates down in Pickering, but when we asked the community, how safe do you feel in Pickering, generally people feel safe,” said Whitaker.

In the area of healthy environment, she was pleased to see Pickering doing well when it comes to surface water quality.

The surface water quality index, which measures eight key pollutants, states Duffins Creek is at target, and Rouge River, Carruthers Creek and Petticoat Creek are good with minor action required.

There was a significant jump in 2017 in the number of trees planted, which went from 5,354 planted in 2016 to 16,243 in 2017. Whitaker noted this is mostly due to a massive replacement of trees that were destroyed due to invasive species such as emerald ash borer.

She also said Pickering has done a lot of work improving its tree canopy in south Pickering, and has expanded north.

“There’s a very high percentage of Seaton that is remaining natural," she said, adding 50 per cent of land in the massive central Pickering development will remain natural.

Whitaker said the report also shows where improvements can be made.

Just 47 per cent of respondents in a community survey said they often or very often shop at a local farmers market, and 34 per cent said they sometimes do.

“We want to make sure we’re teaching people about local food,” said Whitaker. “This year we are expanding the farmers market.”

The report also includes ways to contribute, and is available to view at pickering.ca/msr, or for loan at the Pickering Public Library.