Some steps are being taken to address the crime and vagrancy concerns in Peace River.
The Town has received grant money from the province to do a review of policing services, which Peace River MLA Dan Williams says could result in a some different things happening.
“What could come out of that is an assessment saying that we need more officers, we need to support the RCMP better, we need to add sheriffs, we need to add transportation for those who are being released from the correctional centre, anything like that could be a part of this review. The purpose is to take action at the end of it. We have a number of different pieces like increased mental health and addictions supports and increased policing supports.”
Williams says he’ll also be working closely with various community groups to help in dealing with issues around homelessness and addictions.
He adds that some new legislation recently passed by the province will “have a part to play in this”.
“The Compassionate Intervention Act is legislation that allows us to say as a province and as a society that we’re not gonna wait for our loved ones to just continue using an addiction and harming themselves and others. If someone is a danger to themselves or others due to their addiction, we’re gonna intervene compassionately and get them health care with mandatory treatment.”
Williams was the Mental Health and Addictions minister until a cabinet shuffle last month saw him get moved to the Municipal Affairs portfolio.
You can listen to the full interview below.
– Kyle Moore, Trending 55 Newsroom
