The planning lead on St. John’s City Council says public safety has been incorporated into the city’s latest neighbourhood plans.

The city released its blueprint for the future development of the Rennie’s River and Central and Mundy Pond neighbourhoods earlier this week – developed with the help of input received from area residents.

High among the concerns raised, is public safety.

Councillor Tom Davis says improving the public’s sense of safety is high on the city’s list of priorities. He cites Bannerman Park as an example.

Davis says residents do not feel as safe in Bannerman Park as they would like to.

He thinks there is a “mismatch” between how safe people feel, and how safe they actually are. “Part of that is real, and part of that is perceived,” says Davis, “so improving on the visible security and working on people’s perception of security are both important.”