Minister's Award for Leadership in Crime Prevention

Minister's Award for Leadership in Crime Prevention Past Recipients

2010 Recipients

A number of Nova Scotians were recognized at the Crime Prevention Symposium held on March 30, 2010, for their efforts to prevent crime and make communities safer.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Ross Landry presented the Justice Minister's Award for Leadership in Crime Prevention at a crime symposium in Halifax.

"These awards are recognition for those who are making significant contributions to creating a safer Nova Scotia," said Mr. Landry. "It is an honour to present awards to people who are not only leaders, but also committed to empowering their communities to be leaders in crime prevention."

Awards were presented in six categories including individual, youth, community group or organization, community policing, media and business community.

A committee reviewed the nominations and selected the seven recipients based on commitment to their local issue, empowering their community, leadership by encouraging and educating others, working together to build partnerships, and innovative, inclusive and flexible.

The individual award was presented to Donald Clairmont, Halifax, who has dedicated over 50 years to research, consultation and teaching in the justice field. Mr. Clairmont conducted extensive research in the areas of African Nova Scotians, Aboriginal Policing and the community base policing model. He was also a driving force behind Halifax Regional Municipality's Mayor's Initiative on Crime Reduction and Prevention.

Ross Heimpel, Halifax, was the winner of the youth award. He is a member of Youth on the Radar, a crime prevention program that connects youth, the arts and the community. His work was showcased at the 2009 Viewfinders Atlantic Film Festival and led to him co-directing a video with HeartWood Centre for Community Youth Development.

Parents Against Drugs, a volunteer-based group in Eskasoni that empowers community members to take a stand against illegal drugs and substance abuse, was the recipient of the community group award. Marches are held in the community to raise awareness and support. The success of the group has lead to the program being expanded to other First Nations communities from Cape Breton to Pictou Landing.

The policing award recipient was deputy chief John Collyer from the Bridgewater Police Service. Mr. Collyer volunteers as vice president of the South Shore Big Brothers, Big Sisters board of directors and school mentor for youth at risk. He implemented the Kids N Kops program that offers youth at risk a one-week summer camp.

The winner of the media category was Gary Nickerson of CJLS Radio, covering Yarmouth, Shelburne, and Digby counties. Mr. Nickerson was a major contributor in forming the senior safety program in Clare. He is dedicated to assisting police with requests that require informing the public.

There was a tie in the business award category, so two winners were named. Emera was presented an award for being a strong supporter of Healing the Bruises, an Alice Housing program that is therapeutic for children, teens and mothers. The second recipient was Henry's Cameras. As part of Halifax Regional Municipality's firearm amnesty, Henry's Cameras offered a free digital camera for every firearm turned in and provided all of the advertising to support this initiative. The campaign, Pixels for Pistols, resulted in 1074 firearms being turned in between Nov. 2 and Nov. 20.