Cuts could wipe out Ottawa anti-crime group

Crime Prevention Ottawa says it won't be able to keep operating if the city decides to eliminate its funding.

The city-funded program, which has been running for three years, works with communities to lower crime rates throughout Ottawa.

The proposed funding cut was announced last Friday along withnumerous other cutbacks.

Mayor Larry O'Brien led the committee that proposed the cuts. He said he was trying to cap the property tax increase at 4 per cent.

Nancy Worsfold, executive director of Crime Prevention Ottawa, said the city's draft budget proposes cutting all of the organization's funding.Under the existing city budget, the organization gets funding for two full-time staff members and $400,000.

Worsfold said she was surprised by the cuts since theorganization received a positive response from council when it presented its three-year strategic plan last week.

"Too often, people tend to think that the police are going to solve crime problems," Worsfold said.

"But the police know as just as well as we do that they cant do it alone, that it takes an entire community taking care of each other to promote community safety. So what would be lost is that broad-based approach to community safety."

A public consultation on the proposed budget cuts will take place in January before city council votes on them.