Goal HQL-5: Facilitate social interaction and foster a sense of security and community pride by assuring safety in neighborhoods and public spaces.
A healthy community is one that promotes safety through the design of the built environment. Increasing healthy outcomes is dependent on an environment where residents feelsafe and secure.People are more likely to walk, bike, and generally live an active lifestyle if they feel safe in their neighborhood.The policies in this section support safe neighborhoods that encourage community interaction and social cohesion.
Several policies in the Community Safety Element also support safe neighborhoods through law enforcement and community policing.
The City shall support cohesive neighborhoods that sustain mental health, increase social capital, and reduce crime.
The City shall develop public spaces that provide safe, convenient, and pleasant gathering places for neighbors to meet and congregate.
The City shall promote urban design principles that support active use of public spaces in neighborhoods, commercial areas, and employment centers at all times of day. Active use of public spaces provides “eyes-on-the-street” to enhance public safety in these areas.
The City shall improve safety and the perception of safety by requiring adequate lighting, street visibility, and defensible spaces within new development projects.
The City shall maintain and expand the Neighborhood Partnership Program to support local residents who want to work together to improve their neighborhoods.
The City shall encourage private landowners to maintain and upgrade their property in residential neighborhoods and in commercial and industrial areas.