The city’s law enforcement will partner with several community-based social organizations to help better serve Hamilton’s most vulnerable populations. Photo credit: Facebook/Hamilton Police Service
On Monday, the provincial government announced a “landmark investment” of more than $267 million over three years to help local police services around Ontario better safeguard their respective communities.
Most of the funds will be distributed via the local priorities stream of the Community Safety and Policing Grant Program, with some money set aside for provincewide initiatives.
In total, Hamilton Police Service (HPS) will receive $8.2 million. The money will be used to expand and enhance the city’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, which seeks to address the root causes of complex social issues.
“Community safety is a top priority, and our government has been strengthening our justice system to protect communities and hold offenders accountable,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.
“This investment is another way we are helping police services address local challenges and improve the well-being of the people they serve. Whether to combat the opioid crisis, share intelligence, or prevent violent crime, this funding will make a difference in all corners of Ontario.”
About $1.5 million of the funding will go toward the establishment of a ‘Rapid Intervention Support Team’ (RIST). The team will include a program coordinator, police officers, paramedics, a housing navigator, an addiction navigator, a mental health navigator, a youth navigator, a women’s systems navigator, and an Indigenous navigator.
It will focus on supporting those who are homeless, experiencing mental illness and/or struggling with addiction. It will offer in-the-moment supports to navigate social service and healthcare systems and will refer clients to appropriate services to improve their quality of life and decrease their negative interaction with police.
“We have heard loud and clear that police are not the experts on many of the social issues facing our community,” said HPS Chief Frank Bergen. “By seeking out partnerships, we’re bringing in specialists to help us provide in the moment support to some of our most marginalized community members.”
The team will include personnel from a variety of community organizations, including Hamilton Police, Hamilton Paramedics, Wesley Urban Ministries, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Canadian Mental Health Association Hamilton, Hamilton Regional Indian Centre, YMCA, and Interval House Hamilton.
RIST will meet daily to discuss new referrals, high acuity clients, and delegate tasks. In addition to responding to referrals and supports, the group will also proactively engage high priority populations through regular visits to drop-in centres and shelters.
The team will operate seven days a week.
The additional $6.7 million maintains funding for 13 officers from the COAST, MCRRT and Social Navigator Program (SNP) unit and increases funding for three additional officers in the SNP.
Beginning in late spring, SNP will be expanded to include two youth officers and two civilian support roles to work directly with high acuity youth in the community and connect them to community and social services.
“We thank the Government of Ontario for recognizing how important it is for agencies to work together to support Hamilton’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Chief Bergen. “This approach should allow for individuals to get the supports they need, when they need it most.”
Funds will be allocated over three years from 2022-23 to 2024-25.
Police services will be required to report twice a year on the financial activities and outcomes of their initiatives.
