The Ontario government is spending over $1.3 million over three years to improve community safety in Dryden, Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls and Kenora.
The three are in a group of 90 police service boards receiving funding for 147 public safety initiatives to help local police fight crime.
Priorities include gun and gang violence, sexual violence, harassment, human trafficking, mental health and addictions as well as hate-motivated crime.
The Dryden Police Services Board is the recipient of $281,045 in funding but programming of course will be carried out by Provincial Police.
There will be a focus on better utilizing school programming and the community services officer to support and educate students on different topics such as phone, internet and bike safety.
Officials say they plan to continue to work collaboratively with community partners and stakeholders to enhance social outcomes and make positive choices easier for all residents of the Dryden area.
In Red Lake, funding will help offset costs for the OPP Detachment to continue supporting efforts of the Municipality, Township of Ear Falls and community partners to address issues related to mental health that impact the area.
This includes the detachment’s role in supervising the Mobile Crisis Response Team.
The funding amounts to $196,731.
Solicitor General Sylvia Jones says, “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.”
Police services will be required to report twice a year on the financial activities and outcomes of their initiatives.
