Safety Policies

We value safety and inclusiveness at Sugar Swing! We have created rules, guidelines, policies and procedures to help ensure these values are upheld. They are similar between both Community of Jazz and Sugar Swing Ballroom In addition to this Code of Conduct, you may find these links helpful:

Code of Conduct

The intention behind our Code of Conduct is to create a comfortable and safe environment for all visitors. It is intended to create clarity of important boundaries, and to be informative so that newer visitors can feel safer walking into Sugar Swing. All staff and visitors are required to adhere to our code of conduct when entering our space

Intimidation, harassment, assault or abuse of any kind is not permissible
Respect everyone’s physical, personal, and emotional boundaries
Respect human rights, including gender choice, sexual orientation, race, religion
Seek appropriate consent before dancing with someone, be gracious if turned down
No soliciting, including promotion of campaigns & advocacy, without approvals
Do not bring & consume outside drugs and alcohol onto the premises
Be considerate and respectful to Sugar Swing volunteers & staff
Mind our stuff and spaces

With this in mind,

Please abide by our rules
If anyone upsets or hurts you, please tell us (or through a friend)
Look out for, and report, any manipulative or predatory behaviour
Report any misconduct or harassment, verbal or physical, to Sugar Swing staff
Be welcoming, and have fun!

Talk With Us

Please come to reception or see one of our staff if you are witness or subject to an infraction, or feel uncomfortable, and we will respond appropriately. Staff include Event Organizers and Instructors. The individuals who specifically deal with Safety are our Safety Officers and Safety Directors. The Safety Officers may fully handle minor and some moderate incidents. The Safety Directors may deal with the full range of incidents, minor to severe

Safety Officers – Czarina Ramos , Paige Grant, Tyrel Brochu
Safety Directors – Sepideh Mirshamsi, Birkley Wisniewski (Director, 780-604-7572)

You may be asked to file an incident report, which will aid us in prevention and response
Anonymous tips and reporting may also be sent to us online through this form

Response & Procedures

We will normally respond to incidents immediately, though some situations require more time for investigation or decision making. Please find our Safety Procedures Summary online. We reserve the right to refuse service or have any individual removed from the premises if we deem it necessary.

Getting Help

You are not alone. You have options. Please consider these helpful resources for any distress you may have experienced, crimes, or serious code of conduct violations.

Life Threatening Situations & Crimes in Progress
- Dial 9-1-1
- In all cases of an emergency involving a life threatening situation, or a crime in progress, dial 911 immediately. Your call will be answered by an Emergency Communications Officer who will direct your call to Police, Fire or Ambulance
Someone in Distress
- When you see someone in distress, call 211 and press “3” to dispatch the 24/7 Crisis Diversion Team. This service should be used when you see someone:
  - Experiencing a medical or mental health (non-emergency) crisis
  - There is a potential safety concern for the individual involved
  - Possibly intoxicated or otherwise impaired
Edmonton Police
- Dial 780-423-4567 or #377 (#377 access only works within city limits) for non-emergencies and crimes
Edmonton Fire
- Dial 780-442-5445
Medical and Health:
- Dial 811 or for out-of-province or internet phone users, call 1-866-408-5465.
If you need to talk to someone right away:
- Distress Line – CMHA – If you’re in distress, call 780-482-HELP (4357).
- If you’re outside of the greater Edmonton region, call their Rural Distress Line at 1-800-232-7288
If you have been sexually assaulted:
- Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton – SACE – 24hr Crisis Line – 780-423-4121
- University of Alberta Sexual Assault Centre – SAC – (780) 492-9771