Downtown Safety and Community Wellbeing Panel
Join the discussion on August 28 at 7:00pm as a panel of local experts talk about community safety and wellbeing in Regina's downtown. Panelists will reflect on the past year's challenges and opportunities related to safety in the downtown core, as well as strategies and initiatives that each organization is undertaking to address these challenges. This event continues a conversation that was begun last year at a panel on downtown health and wellbeing as a partnership between Regina Public Library and Regina Downtown Business Improvement District.
Panelists for this event will include Dave Slater, Manager of Community Wellbeing at the City of Regina; Sgt. Laurie Alexander, Regina Police Service; Katie Dockham, General Manger of the Cornwall Centre; and Jason Knudsen, Outreach Program Manager of the Regina Street Team. Judith Veresuk, Executive Director of Regina Downtown Business Improvement District, will moderate the discussion. The event will take place in the Film Theatre at Central Library. Refreshments provided.
Presented by Regina Public Library (RPL) and Regina Downtown Business Improvement District.
Panelists
Dave Slater is the Manager of Community Well-Being for the City of Regina, and is responsible for the city’s role in community safety and well-being, houselessness, inclusion, and accessibility. A highlight of his career was working alongside the community on the development of the City of Regina’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. Prior to working with the City of Regina, David held a variety of positions that saw him supporting individuals living with disability, including roles with the Saskatchewan Health Authority in the Recreation Therapy Unit, and as a Recreation Coordinator for the Saskatchewan Abilities Council. David was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, and lives with his wife and two children.
Sgt Laurie Alexander is a 19 year member of the Regina Police Service with experience working in various sections including Patrol, School Resource, Child Abuse, Human Resources, Traffic, and at the Saskatchewan Police College as the recruit training officer. She is also the team lead for the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, a member of the Women’s Personal Safety Team and a mentor for the service’s 30 by 30 hiring initiative. In January 2024, Sgt Alexander took on the role as the supervisor of the Alternative Response Unit to develop this new and exciting program for the city’s downtown districts.
Katie Dockham is the General Manager of Cornwall Centre, a 90-store enclosed regional shopping centre managed by Cushman & Wakefield in the heart of downtown Regina. Born and raised in Regina, she is proud to live, work, play, and raise her family in the community she calls home. The Centre welcomes over 4 million shoppers annually, so naturally, safety and community well-being are a top priority for her and her team. With over five years previously serving as Marketing Manager for the property, she has led initiatives centered on community engagement, strategic partnerships, and downtown revitalization.
Jason Knudsen is the Outreach Program Manager for the Regina Street Team (RST), a community-based initiative focused on safety and wellbeing. In his role, Jason is responsible for the direct oversight of frontline operations. He leads a team dedicated to providing street-level outreach and support to members of vulnerable populations. He develops and delivers training modules for staff and community partners on Naloxone Administration, Crisis Intervention, Trauma-Informed Care, and Harm Reduction principles. Jason actively fosters collaboration between government agencies, community-based organizations, and local businesses to create integrated responses to complex social issues.
