NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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The Nottawasaga detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is pleased to be partnered with various local agencies as part of Collaborate Nottawasaga.
Collaborate Nottawasaga community partnerships are essential in addressing a multitude of risk factors, which may include inadequate housing, mental health issues, truancy and addictions. By being proactive and working together with community partners, the OPP can assist in getting those in need the right response at the right time and by the right agencies.
The Nottawasaga OPP has been working collaboratively with various community partners to establish a website for our local community members to access. The premise is to connect people with the services they need. The website can be viewed at collaboratenottawasaga.ca.
Community members will have access to:
- local news
- upcoming events
- community services
- counselling services
- housing services
- youth-specific services
- emergency services
- mental health support services
Since 2016, the Nottawasaga detachment of the OPP has proactively connected those with acutely elevated risk to local community agencies to support them using our Collaborate Nottawasaga situation table. This is a joint project amongst community partners to address those in the community who are facing the highest need, with police as one of the champions moving it forward. The group meets weekly in a hybrid meeting model to facilitate community partners attending in person and virtually.
Situation tables are designed to mitigate acutely elevated risk by collaborating in multi-sector partnerships to address risks before they become crisis situations requiring emergency response. We use our existing and combined resources and investments in a new way to break down silos, increase efficiencies, mobilize responses within 24 to 48 hours and address issues at the front end to see successes down the road. By being proactive and working together with community partners, the Nottawasaga OPP can assist in getting those in need the right response at the right time and by the right agencies.
Some community partners who constitute the Collaborate Nottawasaga situation table include:
- York Support Services Network
- Canadian Mental Health Association of York Region
- Mary McGill Community Mental Health Centre
- S.H.I.F.T.
- CONTACT Community Services
- Stevenson Memorial Hospital
- Krasman Centre
- Addiction Services of Central Ontario
- Youth Haven
- My Sister’s Place
- New Path
- Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions
- Matthews House Hospice
- Catulpa Community Support Services
- Community Living Association for South Simcoe (CLASS)
- Elizabeth Fry
- Ontario Works
- Alliston Probation and Parole
- New Tecumseth Fire
- Simcoe County Paramedic Services
- Family doctors, coroners, pharmacists
- Other police services
The goal is that people with mental health issues are referred to mental health service providers, thereby reducing the need for police involvement and any stigma associated to interactions. The intent is to ensure that the Nottawasaga OPP’s response to mental health calls will help mitigate risk and victimization; will be consistent and efficient; and that it will improve outcomes for police and people with mental health issues. This kind of approach allows police to not only focus on reactive law enforcement issues but also on proactive work while engaging with community leaders to address the root causes of social disorder.
“I am proud of Nottawasaga OPP’s collaborative partnerships with local agencies for the betterment of our community. I thank all those who are contributing to the success of Collaborate Nottawasaga. By working together, we are making significant strides in supporting those in need by connecting people with the most appropriate services, in a timely manner.” — Staff Sgt. Kevin Bucknor, operations manager, Nottawasaga OPP
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