West Parry Sound
WEST PARRY SOUND
Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
Community Safety and Well-Being Plan Report to Council dated November 15, 2023
Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
In January 2019, new requirements for Community Safety and Well-being (CSWB) planning came into effect. The Police Services Act, 1990 (PSA) was amended, and municipalities across Ontario were instructed to develop and adopt a community safety and well-being plan in partnership with stakeholders and groups that are active in delivering services within our communities.
This multi-sectoral approach to community safety and well-being, recognizes that complex social problems cannot be addressed by police services alone and that local service providers, working in areas such as health/mental health, education, community/social services and children/youth services play an integral role. Another principle of this approach is the understanding that risks cannot be addressed in isolation. Too often information and services silos are created which limit response effectiveness, providing an inadequate service which does not take full advantage of available resources. The goal of CSWB Planning is to develop a guide for partners to communicate, collaborate and coordinate interventions and initiatives aimed at reducing risks and improving safety and well-being for all residents.
Early in 2021, the area Chief Fire Officials were asked to move this planning process forward, on behalf of the municipalities. An Advisory Committee was formed and included representation from the following agencies/communities:
HANDS Family Network; DSSAB; Child Services; Health Unit; WPSHC; Paramedicine; Henvey Inlet First Nation; OPP; School Board; and Community Mental Health.
Membership of this group was defined by involvement in delivering services to our communities and ensuring that we had representation from as many communities as possible.