Tag: urban safety

Safety in Tramway Networks: An International Perspective to Inform Public Action 

Across the world, tramway networks face complex safety and insecurity-related issues that directly influence social acceptability, ridership, and the success of public transport projects. In this context, the ICPC publishes an international literature review offering a rigorous and comparative analysis of safety and crime prevention issues.

This International Literature Review on Safety Issues in Tramway Networks is based on an in-depth analysis of scientific research and practices observed internationally. It highlights that safety in tramway networks is not limited to recorded crime but is embedded in a broader set of conditions related to network organization, urban environments, and social interactions that shape users’ sense of insecurity. 

The report examines crimes against property, assaults, threats and harassment, as well as incivilities and social disorder, while emphasizing the central role of perceived safety in network use. It also proposes an analytical framework structured around three dimensions of urban transport safety (personal, organizational, and contextual) to better understand the dynamics shaping safety outcomes.

By documenting key contributions from international research, this review provides a reference analytical framework to better understand the mechanisms shaping actual safety and the sense of insecurity, and to inform public policy discussions and analyses related to prevention and governance in tramway networks.

This review is fully aligned with the ICPC’s mission to advance internationally comparable knowledge and support a shared understanding of safety and prevention issues in public transport.

Read the full report (in French) >

For additional information, contact info@cipc‑icpc.org.

Ahuntsic‑Cartierville: A Detailed Data‑Driven Crime Portrait (2018–2022)

The ICPC releases a new data‑driven portrait dedicated to the borough of Ahuntsic‑Cartierville, in Montréal. Based on police data from the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR 2.2) program, compiled by the ministère de la Sécurité publique du Québec (Québec Ministry of Public Security), this report analyzes 18,272 documented criminal incidents between 2018 and 2022, of which 72% are property‑related crimes and 28% crimes against persons. 

The statistical portrait provides a detailed overview of crimes against persons and property. It describes their evolution, their distribution across lived environments, and the profiles of those involved. The analysis also highlights the importance of relational and private contexts, particularly in situations of violence committed against someone close to the victim. This spatial perspective identifies the areas with significant trends and clarifies the structuring role of private spaces in the occurrence of several forms of violence.

The portrait aims to support strategic reflections and decision‑making by municipal, institutional, and community actors engaged in urban safety, by providing robust, contextualized, and directly actionable data.

Read the full report (in French)

For additional information, contact info@cipc‑icpc.org.

ICPC Presents Its National Study on Public Transit Safety at CUTA’s Annual Conference and Transit Show

On November 3, 2025, Janny Montinat and Hang Nguyen, analysts at the International Centre for the Prevention of Crime, took part in the Annual Conference and Transit Show organized by the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) in Montréal.

They presented the approach and objectives of a national study led by the ICPC on safety and mobility in public transit systems across five major Canadian cities. The study, planned over a three-year period, is currently in its first year, which focuses on a literature review, expert consultations, and the preparation of on-site visits. 

By joining the ongoing discussions among transport authorities, researchers, and municipal representatives, the ICPC shares its expertise in crime prevention to help develop sustainable solutions to urban safety challenges.

For more information on the CUTA Annual Conference, visit cutaactu.ca.

Webinar on the FIXED Methodology: Strengthening Urban Safety Through Collaboration

On June 18, 2025, the International Centre for the Prevention of Crime (ICPC) hosted a webinar as part of the Fonds pour bâtir des communautés plus sécuritaires (FBCS) to present the FIXED methodology—a structured tool designed to improve local coordination on urban safety issues. 

An Committed Audience From Key Sectors 

The webinar brought together representatives from municipalities with over 100,000 residents and public health professionals from across Quebec. The goal: provide practical tools to implement collaborative and sustainable safety initiatives tailored to local realities. 

A Structured Approach for Concrete Results

During the session, participants were introduced to the core principles and main steps of the FIXED methodology: 

  • developing a shared diagnosis, 
  • mobilizing key stakeholders, 
  • co-creating a common vision, 
  • and designing concrete action plans. 

This approach emphasizes local engagement and the implementation of effective, context-sensitive solutions. 

Three Real-World Examples 

The presentation was supported by three projects carried out with ICPC’s support: 

  • an urban revitalization initiative in Saint-Léonard, 
  • a coordinated intervention in a Montreal school, 
  • and the development of a sectoral safety plan in Gatineau. 

These case studies demonstrate the method’s flexibility and its adaptability to various contexts. 

Insightful Exchanges 

Participants highlighted the strengths of the FIXED method—its clarity, structure, and collaborative approach—while also addressing implementation challenges, such as the need for local adaptation. 

A key message emerged: lasting results require both intersectoral collaboration and a deep understanding of local dynamics. 

A Tool for Safer Communities 

This webinar confirmed the relevance of the FIXED methodology as a practical lever for building safer, more inclusive, and more resilient communities. The ICPC thanks all participants for their insights and commitment to advancing urban safety in Quebec and beyond. 

The ICPC takes part in the 3rd edition of the Town of Mount Royal’s Safety Exhibition

On September 14, the ICPC was pleased to take part in the 3rd edition of the safety exhibition organized by the Town of Mount Royal’s Public Security Department (Montreal). This biannual event, which brought together nearly a hundred people, gathered numerous public safety and civil security stakeholders with the purpose of increasing citizens’ awareness of the actions implemented to prevent crime and ensure safe environments.  

The ICPC took this opportunity to share its expertise and present its crime prevention initiatives, in collaboration with key players such as the special constables of the Montreal Transit Corporation (Société de transport de Montréal, STM), the Montreal Police Department (Service de police de la Ville de Montréal, SPVM), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), firefighters, the Canadian army, as well as other partners such as the CIUSSS West-Central Montreal and Hydro-Québec.  

Faïz Youssouf, analyst and Solal Holtz, communications coordinator (ICPC) 

The day was also an opportunity for the ICPC to strengthen its local network, while highlighting the importance of prevention through direct exchanges with the public and other safety stakeholders. It was an ideal platform to promote  a shared vision of a safer and more inclusive city.  

The ICPC would like to thank the Town of Mount Royal for this enriching invitation!  

The ICPC was at the the 8th edition of the “Security, Democracy & Cities” conference in Belgium

As part of a mission to France and Belgium in March 2024, the ICPC had the pleasure of taking part, from March 20 to 22, in the eighth edition of the “Security, Democracy & Cities” conference organized by its partners, the European Forum for Urban Security and Safe.brussels, which was held in Brussels, Belgium. The event brought together 700 participants from 26 countries, including 135 locals from the Paris-Brussels region, to discuss the major issues of safety in European cities.   

Inaugurated by the Minister-President of Brussels, Rudi Vervoort, the conference addressed critical challenges such as territorial warfare, drugs, and insecurity, exacerbated by misinformation, the far-right, and terrorism, underlining the need for crisis management and inter-regional collaboration. With the participation of regional and Catalan key stakeholders, the conferences focused on drug trafficking, security by design in public spaces, and the essential role of citizen mobilization against drug-related violence. 

A meeting between Ann Champoux, Director General of the ICPC, and international partners such as Dina Husseini, Head of Section in the Division for the Reduction of Inequalities and Inclusive Living Environments at the City of Montreal, and Jumma Assiago, Coordinator of the Safer Cities Programme for UN-Habitat, led to explore future collaboration on the integration of inclusive and community-based strategies in crime prevention in major cities.   

Dina Husseini (City of Montréal), Jumma Assiago (ONU-Habitat) and Ann Champoux (ICPC)

Ms Champoux was also delighted to meet Anna Rau, Executive Director of the German-European Forum for Urban Safety (DEFUS), who has recently joined the ICPC board. Exchanges between Elizabeth Johnson, Executive Director, and Yves Van De Vloet, Associate Expert, both from EFUS, also provided an opportunity to discuss the various perspectives on the day-to-day challenges of urban safety. 

Anna Rau (DEFUS), Ann Champoux (ICPC), Yves Van De Vloet and Elizabeth Johnson (EFUS)

In addition, discussions with important figures such as Jean Spinette, Mayor of the municipality of Saint-Gilles in Belgium, and Sophie Lavaux, Executive Director of Safe.brussels, were particularly enlightening, marking a mutual recognition of the crucial importance of urban safety for democracy and social well-being.  

Jean Spinette (municipality of Saint-Gilles), Sophie Lavaux (Safe.brussels) and Ann Champoux (ICPC)

In conjunction with the conference, the ICPC held its 26th annual general meeting of members on March 20, both online and in person in Brussels, where two new members were welcomed for a new mandate on the ICPC board: Anna Rau, Executive Director of the German-European Forum on Urban Security, and Barbara Holtmann, Director of Fixed Africa and former member of the Board. This was an opportunity for our Director General to present some of the highlights of the past year, newly published reports, news from our network, and participation in/organization of international events. 

Also, during this mission, Ann Champoux as well as two members of the Board of Directors, Frédérique Porterie, President of the Board and Public Prosecutor of Bordeaux, as well as Jean-Luc Besson, Vice-President of the Board and Expert in statistical dissemination and territorial analysis at the Ministry of the Interior, met with Étienne Apaire, Secretary General of the Interministerial Committee for the Prevention of Delinquency and Radicalisation. The meeting was held in Paris, France, to continue discussions on avenues of collaboration with France. 

Ann Champoux (ICPC), Étienne Apaire (SG –CIPDR), Frédérique Porterie and Jean-Luc Besson (ICPC)

The ICPC in the media: a collaborative study reveals safety issues in the borough of Verdun, Montreal

Through a collaborative approach, the ICPC has conducted a study on the sense of safety in the borough of Verdun, in Montreal, using data from the Montreal City Police Service (SPVM) to understand the current situation. This objective analysis, combined with a survey on the sense of safety carried out by Action Prévention Verdun (APV), provided a comprehensive overview of urban safety issues and challenges in the borough.  

The study provided a nuanced overview of the perceptions and realities of safety in Verdun and served as a platform for a more comprehensive conversation on urban safety, including the perceptions and experiences of local residents.   

The support of the ICPC in this project is a perfect illustration of the approach needed to address urban safety issues, recognizing that residents’ perceptions of safety are crucial to developing urban safety strategies that are both effective and inclusive.   

For more information, we invite you to read the following article (in French) “Portrait du sentiment de sécurité à Verdun et l’Île-des-Sœurs grâce à un sondage auprès de 512 personnes” published on March 17, 2024, on Nouvelles d’Ici. 

The ICPC took part in a series of webinars organized UN-Habitat on safer cities

On October 30, 2023, ICPC participated in an introductory meeting on how cities, organizations, and local governments can work together to implement the UN system wide Guidelines on Safer Cities and Human Settlements through peer review.  

We were also honered to participate, on December 12 2023, first interactive webinar on the peer review of the Global Safer Cities Programme organized by our long-standing partner UN-Habitat. 

In partnership with United Cities and Local Governments, Habitat Norway and Vibe Lab Germany, the webinar brought together around 50 participants to discuss urban safety in the context of the UN’s New Urban Agenda and Agenda 2030, focusing on safe spaces for all, especially young people and women.  

The aim of this approach is to improve the quality of life of city residents by taking inspiration from innovative practices that have been implemented around the world.  

This was an opportunity for the ICPC to take part in workshops with international crime prevention and security experts on the challenges and responses in terms of safety that cities represent today. The discussions also focused on an example of the Norwegian model of community policing, recognized in particular for its hierarchical structure and informal selection methods.  

 Thanks for the invitation! 

Visit from a Cameroonian delegation to the ICPC: towards closer collaboration for Urban Safety

On Tuesday the 26th of June, the ICPC had the pleasure of hosting the President of the RC3D (Réseau pour la Coopération Décentralisée et le Développement Durable), Ms Angèle Bagnia, and Mr Jean Bruno Tagne, Director General.   

An active partner of the ICPC for many years, the RC3D promotes international and inter-professional exchanges of experience and knowledge sharing, in order to create a platform for exchange that is unique in Africa and Canada.  

We were also honored to welcome a delegation of mayors from the Cameroonian capital Douala: Mr Jean-Jacques Lengue Malapa, mayor of the Douala 1st Disctrict, Mr Valentin Epoupa Bossambo, mayor of the Douala 3rd Disctrict, and Mr Richard Mfeungwang, mayor of the Douala 5th Disctrict.  

It was also an opportunity to discuss the ICPC’s participation in a session on urban safety during the 8th edition of the RC3D’s Forum for Decentralised Cooperation and Development (FOCODDEV), which will take place in Montreal from 27 November to 1 December 2023. In addition, this discussion focused on the aim of establishing ICPC’s Urban Safety Lab model adapted in Cameroon.  

2023 Summer School: a first edition to build tomorrow’s safe cities

From 24 to 25 August, 2023, the ICPC had the pleasure of hosting the first edition of its Summer School at the Centre St-Pierre in Montreal, which focused on the theme of “Urban safety in action: building tomorrow’s safe cities“.

The central theme of this first edition was to highlight prevention in urban travel and support competent management when it comes to the safety of urban areas.   

More than twenty people attended the presentations, which covered topics such as urban safety as an approach based on living spaces, as an approach based on decision-making spaces, and crime prevention strategies for urban mobility. Also, the participants discussed the recommendations suggested by the ICPC and its collaborators, as well as took part in a collective formulation of possible solutions to the difficulties they regularly encounter in their day-to-day work in and around Montreal.  

It was an honour to welcome Paola Porcelli, coordinator at the YMCA and specialist in mental health and intercultural approaches, as well as Sophie Paquin, director of undergraduate programmes in urban planning at the ESG at UQAM and member of the International Chair on the Uses and Practices of the Intelligent City, as speakers and guests for these two days. 

We would like to thank all the participants, as well as the guest speakers, with whom we had fruitful discussions and who contributed to the success of the event.  

We look forward to seeing you again next year!