Front-line public safety, health and social-service workers will gather weekly to identify high-risk people in Richmond to help connect them faster to services they might need.
This will be the 37th such “safe community situation table” in the province, and it’s expected to be in place within the coming months. Another eight are in the works across B.C.
“The partners will meet on a weekly basis to address issues pertaining to their community, such as mental health and addictions, homelessness, poverty and survival crime,” stated a press release from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
"Safe community situation tables ensure that people remain our focus as we work to build safer, stronger communities," said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
"By combining front-line workers' expertise, the tables enhance our capacity to respond to community safety challenges, keeping people safe by swiftly connecting individuals to essential services."
The province is supporting the City of Richmond with a $50,000 grant to assist with implementation.
Since 2018, more than $3 million has been provided in grants to B.C. regions and communities to facilitate local safe community situation tables, intervention circles and other related initiatives.
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