The United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) is currently leading its community partners through the elaboration of a regional Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.
The process was launched in the summer of 2019 and the final plan must be adopted by January 1, 2021, as per the requirement from the Province of Ontario. A multi-sectoral advisory committee was created in the fall, and has since met twice. The committee's work will be to examine the community's assets, assess gaps, and develop strategies to enhance community safety and well-being for residents of Prescott and Russell.
Members of the advisory committee include representatives from the UCPR Social Services and the UCPR Emergency Services, the Ontario Provincial Police, various police service boards, school boards, Maison Interlude, United Way Eastern Ontario, Groupe Action, the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Hawkesbury General Hospital (Mental Health), Valoris, and the Eastern Ontario Health Unit.
“A CSWB plan identifies risks and proactively develops evidence-based strategies and programs to address local priorities related to crime and complex social issues. These strategies can then be implemented,” explained Stéphane P. Parisien, UCPR Chief Administrative Officer.
Over the winter and spring of 2020, the advisory committee will consult with additional community partners to identify strategies that can be enhanced and implemented. If you would like to be consulted on this plan and are available on January 23, please e-mail Éric Larocque.
“Developing a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan is about working together to ensure the right services get to the right people at the right time,” concluded Pierre Leroux, UCPR Warden. “It involves an integrated approach to service delivery by working with a wide range of agencies and organizations, in order to better manage priority risks and better respond to the needs within our community, especially for vulnerable groups.”