I was wrong about everything

Every now and then it’s good to shake off the bugs and clear the rhetorical sinuses with a column that exorcises the crap out of your system. Call it a writer’s defrag.

This week I decided to say something good about a police initiative and the success e-scooter companies have had in making their business safer for everyone. The resulting column is here.

I was highly skeptical that more police presence in the Market, along Rideau and in Sandy Hill would result in less crime and increased perceptions of safety but there I am, entirely wrong. Which is due to the cops using enlightened policies like safety by design instead of just trying to scare people away.

I caricature, but only a little.

I had a good exchange about these things with representatives of Ottawa’s finest and couldn’t use all of it in the column so here it is below, from Acting Sergeant Paul Stam:

We are referring to principles rooted in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), which is a well-established approach supported by extensive research in the criminology and urban planning literature. Our goal is to enhance community safety by modifying physical elements that may inadvertently create opportunities for unlawful activities. This includes improving lighting in dimly lit areas, ensuring clear sightlines in public spaces, managing overgrown vegetation, and reassessing the placement of structures or barriers like high wooden fences, that may obstruct visibility. Studies have consistently shown that strategic environmental modifications can significantly reduce various types of crime. For example, research indicates that lighting improvements, well-maintained landscaping, and clear sightlines can decrease the likelihood of property-related offenses and other criminal activities. It’s crucial to emphasize that these measures are not intended to target any specific population, especially vulnerable groups. Instead, they aim to create safer environments for all community members by promoting natural surveillance and fostering a sense of shared responsibility for public spaces. Our approach is about thoughtful urban design that prioritizes safety while maintaining the character and functionality of our neighborhoods. We’re committed to implementing these changes in consultation with community stakeholders to ensure they meet the needs and preferences of local residents. As Cozens and Love (2015) note in their systematic review, CPTED strategies have shown positive effects in reducing crime and fear of crime across various settings, though they emphasize the importance of context-specific implementation and ongoing evaluation.

I love it when cops cite academic journals. Makes my little nerdy brain tingle in all the right ways.

I’ve been a critic of e-scooter programs since they started in Ottawa, way back in 2020. I’d seen e-scooters elsewhere, notably Washington D.C., where kids would zip all over the Mall, threatening the safety of everyone else sharing that public space, and then leaving them all over everywhere, cluttering up sidewalks. Paris banned rental scooters in part because they were tired of fishing them out of the Seine.

A few years ago the companies that are part of Ottawa’s program reached out and offered to have me try their improved safety features. I was impressed yet skeptical, mostly because of lack of space. It’s not fair to give 80% of public space to cars and force everyone else — cyclists, pedestrians and scooter users — to share the remaining 20% safely.

Well anyway, I was wrong there too. The 2024 season that just ended was both the most popular and the safest — number of rides were way up and number of incidents way down. Which is just great.

In other news, I’m pleased to share this excellent documentary on the mess that transit in Ottawa has become. And I don’t just say that because I’m in it. Hope you enjoy, in-between the swear words.