Leamington Unveils Safety Plan to Combat Mental Health Challenges

Police and health officials in Leamington, Ontario, have launched a new neighbourhood safety plan aimed at addressing rising concerns related to mental health and substance use. This initiative responds to an increase in service calls connected to these issues, underscoring the need for improved community support systems.

The plan is part of the Substance Supports in Neighbourhoods Accessed through Police Partnerships (SSNAPP) initiative. It is a collaborative effort involving the Ontario Provincial Police, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, and the Windsor-Essex Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, and it is funded through a Community Safety and Policing Grant.

Officials have outlined guidance on responding to various community challenges, including opioid overdoses, mental health crises, and intimate partner violence. Jenny Brandt, manager of substance abuse prevention and harm reduction at the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, emphasized the plan’s purpose: to facilitate access to existing services.

“If someone sees an individual experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use crisis, these plans provide clear steps on what to do and who to call in various situations,” Brandt stated. The plan details both emergency and non-emergency options, incorporating outreach services that extend beyond traditional policing.

Concerns raised by community members during engagement sessions included road safety, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking. Inspector Chuck Lorway of the Essex County OPP noted that the police have observed a significant rise in mental health-related calls in recent years.

“Over the last few years, there’s been an increasing number of Mental Health Act calls for service, as well as calls associated with opioids,” Lorway said, adding that investigations into opioid trafficking have become more frequent. He explained that pairing frontline officers with clinicians and crisis workers can help de-escalate situations and connect individuals with necessary treatment and social supports.

“People will receive proper treatment and support,” Lorway explained. “Policing should usually be the last resort.”

Superintendent Mark Loucas, detachment commander for the Essex County OPP, highlighted a shift towards partnership-based responses in community safety. “Community safety is strongest when prevention, public health, municipalities, and policing work together,” Loucas remarked.

The initiative has garnered support from local leaders, including MPP Trevor Jones, a former OPP officer, who described it as “an evolution.” He noted that policing alone cannot adequately address complex social challenges. “Police officers can’t do this difficult job on their own. They need everyone to help,” Jones said.

Mayor Hilda MacDonald affirmed that the plan equips residents with clearer guidance for situations that may not necessitate emergency intervention. “Sometimes you don’t need to call 911,” MacDonald stated. “Now you have direction and instructions on what to do.” She added that this initiative addresses various community issues, including vandalism and discrimination, by providing residents with the knowledge of where to seek help.

Dr. Ken Blanchette, chief executive officer of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, echoed the sentiment that these plans are designed to empower residents. “These safety plans will positively affect the health and well-being of our communities by ensuring that residents have access to the tools and resources they need,” he said.

The success of the neighbourhood safety plan will depend on community engagement and its effectiveness in reducing repeat crisis calls while enhancing connections to available care. More information about the Leamington safety plan, as well as previously developed plans in Windsor and Essex, can be found online at ssnapp.ca.