FORT ST. JOHN -- The City of Fort St. John will receive $75,000 in grant funding to support the creation of a situation table as communities across the province battle with the intersection of crime– drug addiction and poverty.
The provincial funding will help address public safety issues, reduce long-term demand on emergency services, leverage existing community support, and reduce crime risk by bringing together personnel from across police, health, and social-service sectors.
“Every person in every community wants to feel safe. The incidents of violence and vandalism that have emerged in recent years in B.C. communities, particularly in the northeast, are very concerning,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
The table will identify high-risk individuals within the Fort St. John community including repeat offenders or those who commit survival crimes because of homelessness, poverty, mental health and addiction issues, creating an action plan to support their unique needs.
“I am grateful for the Province’s generous support of the Fort St. John situation table, which will enable us to bolster our community’s efforts in addressing complex social issues and providing timely assistance to those in need,” said Lila Hansen, mayor of Fort St. John.
Communications manager for the City of Fort St. John Ryan Harvey says the creation of a situation table was a priority for the city to address on-going incidents in the community.
He says the grant funding will go towards the hiring of a community safety manager who will oversee the city’s bylaw team and set-up the table.
"This is really an opportunity to address and identify the potential for individuals at risk in our communities and then being able to provide immediate support to those individuals before things get worse,” said Harvey.
Fort St. John will add to the 44 situation tables funded through the Ministry of Public Safety across the province, of which 36 are currently operating.
“Together, we continue to build a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” said Mayor Hansen.
