ACCPA strengthens community safety with Royal Roads students
The Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association (ACCPA) has been a champion of safer communities in Alberta since 1989. For Executive Director Jean Bota, partnering with students through Royal Roads University’s Justice Studies program is about more than mentorship. It’s about creating opportunities for fresh ideas to take root and strengthen crime prevention efforts.
“When I first joined, much of the board was made up of police and enforcement representatives,” said Bota. “We quickly realized that if you want to know what’s really happening, you need community voices at the table.”
That understanding extends to student placements. Bota said they bring creativity, energy, and new ways of looking at community safety challenges. “Students bring different ideas and perspectives,” she said. “It creates awareness, promotes crime prevention, and allows us to connect with future leaders. These students could be future board members or employees.”
This year, ACCPA welcomed Elaine Balisi, a Justice Studies student who recently completed her degree. Bota described her as articulate, focused, and detail-oriented. “Balisi was eager to learn, she asked good questions, and she took initiative,” Bota said.
One highlight from Balisi’s field practice placement was a research paper on retail crime, which has already been shared with government officials. Balisi has also been invited to sit on a panel at the upcoming Retail Crime Summit in October. “That paper is already making an impact,” Bota said. “And the fact that she will now be speaking at a provincial summit shows how valuable student contributions can be.”
For Bota, the biggest lesson is the importance of listening to young people and giving them space to contribute. She recalled an earlier field practice student who reminded community leaders to speak to youth, not around them. “It was a wake-up call,” Bota said. “Young people bring honesty, creativity, and a willingness to speak up. We need to listen to that.”
Her advice to other organizations is simple. “Welcome them. Encourage them. Don’t see them as a threat,” she said. “They are bright lights. Give them space to share their ideas and you’ll be surprised at how much they can contribute.”
Looking ahead, Bota said field practice placements like these are an essential way to prepare future leaders in crime prevention. “These experiences connect classroom learning to real-world practice,” she said. “It’s an investment not only in students, but in the future of community safety in Alberta.”
Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies program.