A recent survey gauging how Chatham-Kent residents feel about their safety and well-being has garnered different results, both good and bad.
Key findings in the survey showed the following:
65 per cent of respondents indicated that they feel safe or very safe walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark.
79 per cent believed that crime rates in their community have increased over the past four years.
Nearly 25 per cent of respondents identified as parents to children aged 5-12, with over half expressing concerns about allowing their children to play outside unsupervised.
Substance use, criminal activity, mental health, physical activity, poverty, and education and employment were identified as top priorities for improving community safety and well-being.
70 per cent of respondents reported feeling a sense of belonging in their community.
81.7 per cent of respondents reported positive relationships with their neighbours.
The municipality said it's reinforcing its efforts to enhance safety, health, and well-being for all residents through the updated Community Safety and Well-Being Plan (CSWP), expected to be shared with the public in its entirety this summer.
Officials said ultimately, the purpose of a CSWP is to create a community in which everyone feels safe, has access to the services and opportunities they need, and have their needs met within Chatham-Kent through the following four areas of intervention:
Social Development: Promoting and maintaining community safety and well-being.
Prevention: Proactively reducing identified risks.
Risk Intervention: Mitigating situations of elevated risk.
Incident Response: Critical and non-critical incident response.
"The CSWP addresses complex social issues by fostering proactive, collaborative approaches rooted in community strengths and resources," said the municipality in a news release issued on Tuesday afternoon.
The community safety and well-being survey was conducted in March 2025 to understand the needs, concerns, and priorities of CK residents, but only received 350 responses.
"While the survey provides valuable insights, limitations such as sample size and composition are acknowledged. Community input is vital when working towards building a safer, healthier, and more inclusive Chatham-Kent," said municipal officials.
Officials noted survey results will be combined with comprehensive data from Statistics Canada, Public Health Ontario, and local partner organizations, including the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team, Linck, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, and emergency services, to inform the CSWP.
"While community safety and well-being planning and investment needs to occur at all levels of the framework, the majority of investments and resources should be spent on social development," officials noted. "By investing in strategies that are proactive instead of reactive, we can improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of our social programs and emergency services."
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