Over the summer, Cobourg Police Service launched the pilot of a new initiative aimed at increasing access to services for community members while decreasing repeat calls for police response.
Sergeant Janice MacDonald headed up the Homeless Addiction Resource Project (HARP) to address concerns facing our community.
“We want to protect not just the safety and well-being of concerned citizens, but also those who are dealing with addictions, homelessness, mental health issues, and the stigma associated. A lot of the time these struggles are intertwined and we need to work collaboratively to get to the root of the issue, as only then will we be able to truly see a difference.”
– Sergeant Janice MacDonald, Cobourg Police Service
As part of HARP, two uniformed officers (Sergeant Janice MacDonald and Constable Janet Bertrand) were dedicated to downtown neighbourhoods, focusing on issues related to addiction, homelessness, and mental health. The hope was that having additional targeted uniform presence in the area and increased collaboration with partner agencies would decrease repeat calls for service because people would have consistent engagement.
One of the main goals of the project was to find effective long-term solutions by:
- Connecting those who need assistance with local services
- Ensuring consistency in police response when dealing with repeated calls
- Creating appropriate accountability for individuals
As of August 28, 2021, HAPR has:
- Continued to build essential partnerships with local community organizations
- Connected ten people to services
- Engaged with and assisted in excess of 30 individuals within the community
- Held 25 people accountable
The summer pilot project will be reviewed to find workable solutions to determine future steps to better serve the community.
The Cobourg Police Service (CPS) continues to take significant and proactive measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all residents. CPS has increased efforts in response to community concerns and crime trends in key areas of Cobourg, working closely with all community partners to ensure that our neighbourhoods and downtown remain safe and welcoming for everyone to enjoy.
Related media releases:
Cobourg Police Service will conduct a community canvass focused on crime prevention and CPTED
Cobourg Police Service Tackles Homelessness and Addiction with Summer Pilot Project