Safety audit recommends better lighting, closed-circuit cameras for Africville reunions
Halifax police visited site to examine how safety could be enhanced at future reunions
Better lighting and closed-circuit cameras are among recommendations to improve safety at future Africville reunions after five people were injured in a shooting at this year's event in July.
Halifax police visited the historic Black community to perform an evaluation after receiving a request from the Africville Genealogy Society, which organizes the reunion.
The society said turning to police for guidance was a necessary step after the unprecedented gun violence at the 41st reunion.
A teenage girl who was caught in the crossfire suffered serious injuries. Police continue to investigate the case.
"We have the responsibility to make sure that people not only are safe, but they feel safe," said Irvine Carvery, the society's president. Carvery had to take cover in his van when the shooting happened.
Officers met up with Carvery in Africville as part of the site audit. Police say having a safety plan may not prevent crime but it can help deter it.
The shots were fired at 10 p.m. on July 27, 2024, so having good quality lighting is one of the recommendations in the audit.
"The park has no lighting," Carvery said. "It's very dark, so the park needs to be better lit," Carvery said.
Closed-circuit cameras would also be an asset, the report said. Carvery said it would be best to have it at both main entrances so people could be viewed coming and going.
Police noted that some shrubbery at the perimeter of the park needs to be cut back to improve sight lines. The report also pointed out damage to fencing between the park and the shore of the Bedford Basin.
"People have been coming in and out through that fencing," Carvery said.
Police also suggested security guards as an option, but Carvery said that would mean additional cost needing further consideration.
The details were presented to society board members and community members at a meeting last weekend.
The reunion brings people back to the community that was torn down by the city of Halifax more than 50 years ago.
"Just by putting all this light on this, this is going to deter people from coming around next year, I mean the people with guns down their pants," said Victor Sampson-Carvery, who has been going to the reunion for years.
It's always peaceful and happy, he said, so he was disappointed it was turned into a crime scene this year.
He goes to honour his father, who grew up in Africville. He's pleased to hear improved security being discussed.
"It's a lot of people that come there," Sampson-Carvery said. "It's very dark at night, people are sleeping over."
The next step is taking the plan to the city and the province to request funding for the security improvements.
"That is an HRM-owned park," Carvery said. "So they have responsibility for the maintenance of the park. Things like closed-circuit cameras, additional security, we will be approaching the province."
He said there is support for the changes and many at the meeting offered similar suggestions to police.
People are determined to continue demonstrating the spirit of Africville, Carvery said, and he is expecting another big turnout at the reunion next year.
For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.
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