Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens' biggest challenger wants to reduce rising homelessness and crime and address the opioid and crystal meth crisis in the city.
Matt Marchand said he has consulted former big-city mayors in Canada and the U.S. and has reviewed best practices in other cities to hopefully see some significant progress by 2022, specifically in the downtown core. Marchand said the plan is to work with community-based organizations, the province and the federal government to invest in mental health, social and affordable housing and addiction help.
"It's really that important to have the mayor's office take the lead and address this issue," said Marchand.
Marchand said he wants to increase the Windsor Police Drugs and Gun Enforcement Unit by 50% by adding an extra team of five new officers and one sergeant. He added that he intends to seek provincial help on the issue of guns in the Windsor community.
"Our understanding is that the government of Ontario is looking to expand the provincial weapons unit and we want that expansion here in Windsor and hopefully we can participate in that," he said.
Marchand said the strategy will cost $4 million but vows to allocate $1.5 million of it within the first 200 days and create a special advisor to the mayor and council.
"We are pretty confident that these strategies, if put into place, can take some measures to reduce crime, poverty, opioid use, etc," Marchand said.
Marchand also said he wants to increase police presence in the downtown later at night when most crimes are being committed. He said cameras are not a preventive measure because many criminals, especially gangs, do not care if they are caught on camera.
Marchand added that he wants to expand the Community Outreach and Support Team to address the growing mental health issues in the community.
He said he wants to measure the results every six months to see what improvements are needed.