Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker has announced provincial funding for 4 local police services.
In a release, Walker says that the Ontario government is "investing $2,234,351.54 over three years to provide local police services with significant new resources to safeguard their communities." The funding will be split between the Owen Sound Police Services Board, Hanover Police Services Board, Grey Highlands Police Services Board and West Grey Police Services Board. Those are 4 of 90 police boards province wide that are receiving funding to supplement 147 different community safety initiatives that will tackle issues like gun and gang violence, sexual violence and harassment, human trafficking, mental health and addictions and hate-motivated crime.
This funding is part of a province wide investment of just over 267 million dollars to help police services keep communities safe.
Projects locally that are receiving funding include:
-Owen Sound Police Services Board: $1,194,799.52 for “Community Oriented Response and Enforcement Unit Enhancement (CORE).”-Owen Sound Police Services Board: $538,559.55 for “Part Time Officer Program- Enforcement and support for full time officers during peak call periods.”
-Owen Sound Police Services Board: $150,000.00 for “Mental Health Crisis Response Team - (Known locally as the Mobile Mental Health and Addictions Response Team MMHART).”
-Hanover Police Services Board: $84,000.00 for “Community Trails and Downtown Safety - Increasing Police Presence.”
-Grey Highlands Police Services Board: $98,365.65 for “Grey Highlands School & Community Engagement & Safety Officer (SCE&SO).”
-West Grey Police Services Board: $168,626.82 for “Enhancing police response to victims of violent crime.”
“Community safety is a top priority, and our government has been strengthening our justice system to protect communities and hold offenders accountable,” says 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.”