Earlier this month, Yasir Naqvi, the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, addressed the attendees at the second Summit on the Economics of Policing and Community Safety. In his speech, the Naqvi spoke about the need to change the way we do policing and move towards a community-centered focus. He went on to highlight the province’s community situation tables as a model that is working. “Multi-disciplinary partnerships produce better results at lower costs to each organization. This is the idea behind the Situation Table Models,” said Naqvi. “These kinds of initiatives move away from the old one-size-fits-all approach and allow communities to identify their risks, mobilize the proper resources, and proactively and collaboratively make their communities safer.”
Many of these situation tables across the province have been modeled after the “Hub Model” in Saskatchewan and provide an integrated approach to reduce crime, emergency room visits and calls for service by addressing the needs of individuals and families at risk.
Several of Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario’s branches have been instrumental in setting up collaborative situation tables across the province. For example, CMHA Nipissing branch is an active member of the “Gateway Hub” in North Bay. Read more about some of CMHA branch involvement in situation tables on the website on CMHA Ontario’s website.
To read Minister Naqvi’s full speech, go to the Ontario Government’s website.