LARRY LEACH

COMMUNITY BUILDER

Larry is Executive Director of 12 Community Safety Initiative (12 CSI), a community-based Crime Prevention nonprofit (12csi.ca). He has been in this role since June 2017 and one of his first duties was to attend the ICA (International CPTED Association) conference where he was introduced to SafeGrowth and quite a few members of the current team. Before his arrival at 12 CSI, the organization helped to put on the 2015 SafeGrowth Summit in Canmore, Alberta. During the pandemic 12 CSI engaged the SafeGrowth network to facilitate training for community members and planning students that resulted in 3 Safety Audits in 2 different communities.

In his work he tackles a great number of initiatives, including an ambassador team, Community Action Walks, and a quarterly printed newsletter. 12 CSI has 131 videos on YouTube, including 4 traffic safety videos translated into 23 languages. Other videos are on Mental Health, Diversity, Bike Safety, Anti Bullying and youth tips on home safety.

Larry came to this work after volunteering (and continues to do so) in his community. Building Community became a passion that led him to his current role. Along with being a past Community President, he is long time board chair of his local youth centre (Cornerstone Youth Centre) and on the board of a small school (Phoenix Foundation) and Youth EnRoute, a charity dedicated to encouraging youth to find safe active transport to schools.

12 CSI is a proud recipient of the 2018 and 2021 Solicitor General's award winner for Community Collaboration.

SafeGrowth speaks to Larry’s passion for community building. “The people who live in the community are the experts” resonates strongly with him.

Larry is her majesty's Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medal recipient for Community Service and was 2019’s Faces of the community.

Larry is based in Calgary, Alberta.