By Emily Keller

city committee

City committee endorses two pilot projects aimed at tackling crime, social issues

Apr 28, 2020 | 5:44 PM

The City is exploring new pilot projects to address crime and social issues.

The projects were developed using input from stakeholders and the RCMP, and the results of the 2020 Citizen Satisfaction Survey. Specifically, the downtown core area was highlighted as having the most incidents and concerns regarding crime, such as aggressive behavior, theft and drug debris.

At Protective and Social Services Committee meeting on Tuesday, the Mobile Outreach Program and a Crime Mitigation Grant project were presented.

Previously in November 2019, the Council Committee of the Whole voted to have $250,000 go towards community safety, and asked administration to find potential ways to use the money.

The Mobile Outreach Program, which would cost about $200,000, would see Enforcement Officers and Outreach Workers provide immediate action to situations such as public intoxication, loitering and trespassing, as well as providing resources and facilitating services for those needing it.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

“It’s really kind of filling a gap where a lot of the calls for service that come in, we probably don’t need police officers to operate as a support worker or a social worker,” said Director of Protective and Social Services, Chris Manuel. “We’re hoping anyways, it’s going to be more efficient and effective.”

Based on the 2020 Citizen Satisfaction Survey, the crime rate, homelessness and drug use were the first, second and fifth chosen issues that residents wanted to be addressed.

Manuel says as far as drugs go, the Grande Prairie RCMP do have strong responses to drug trafficking and organized crime, but that this project will address the issues faced by a drug user, such as accessing help.

The second project involved, called the Crime Mitigation Grant project, which is based on the Police and Crisis Team (PACT), would cost the City $50,000.

“It would essentially be open for applicants that are being adversely affected by crime conditions at their property or at their business, to come forward with funding requests to support efforts to mitigate the impacts of the activity that’s occurring.”

The Committee voted to endorse both projects, asking that administration return to the city with more information and details later on. Manuel says they are hoping to have it run starting in June, and that the Mobile Outreach Program is to run for a period of four months.