People in the District of Kent who are at risk of harm or victimization will benefit from a $30,000 grant to create a community-based team of front-line workers to deliver better, faster access to services.

“We want to see all people, particularly those who are vulnerable and high risk, receive the right support and services they need, when they need them,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “By investing in creating these teams in communities throughout the province, we’re helping front-line workers rapidly connect with people in crisis, while freeing up police to focus on serious and organized criminal activity.”

The teams, known as “situation tables,” are made up of representatives from health, public safety and social service agencies. They proactively identify vulnerable individuals or families who have a significant probability of criminal offending or experiencing harm or victimization, and rapidly connect them to services before they experience a negative or traumatic event.

Funding is provided by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General’s Office of Crime Reduction and Gang Outreach. The office has invested more than $1.1 million since 2017 to develop new tables or enhance existing ones, with another $240,000 to provide funding to seven more communities this year.

There are currently 10 situation tables operating in B.C., with work underway on 11 more.

Quotes:

Sylvia Pranger, mayor, District of Kent –

“We are very pleased to have received this grant funding for the situation table for our area, which engages the District of Kent, the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, our Indigenous neighbouring communities and the RCMP. This funding is long overdue as it provides significant aid to our front-line workers who are engaged in policing and health social services. Public safety is paramount for all of our communities and having a situation table will certainly assist our communities in training and improving communication with other health and safety sectors. This will ultimately help reduce crime and criminals from reoffending. We thank the RCMP and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General for their financial support in this new initiative in keeping our communities safe.”

Kelli Paddon, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent –

“Vulnerable people in our communities have been faced with even more barriers this past year. By taking a nuanced and wholistic community-based approach, our government is helping our community make the most of local resources, ensuring that folks are provided the best care possible from our amazing front-line workers.”

Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions –

“To better connect vulnerable people with the services that can prevent crisis, crime and disorder, situation tables problem solve one case at a time, so at-risk individuals get the help they need. In 2019, 54% of situation table cases were transferred from police to social services, so police could focus on criminals instead.”