The Community Safety and Well-Being Action Plan
The Thompson Community Safety and Well-Being Plan was created with the input of over 20 different community organizations, including government, Indigenous organizations, education, healthcare, social services and law enforcement. The plan brings together Thompson’s agencies and resources together to create a complete approach towards improving safety and a sense of community in Thompson, and create results that are greater than the sum of their parts.
The strategy approaches safety and community in Thompson from several angles, from directly addressing issues around alcohol and youth crime, to the underlying causes that enable them to exist, like our sense of community, our identity, our built environment. The approaches are broken down into six main areas, and every area has a dedicated subcommittee to direct action and progress:
Integrated Alcohol Management - Integrating planning, services, and support for people struggling with alcohol addiction in order to reduce or eliminating gaps in the transition from addiction to long-term recovery.
Demand on Police Resources - Reducing police intervention surrounding non-criminal and low-risk social issues, such as intoxicated people, mental health checks, etc. Creating non-judicial interventions helps ensure vulnerable people get compassionate care and opportunities for recovery, while police can focus on serious criminal matters like violence and trafficking.
Community Inclusion, Systemic Inequities and Racism - Removing barriers and creating opportunities for community participation, creating stronger understanding among our community’s neighbours, visitors, and newcomers.
Housing and Homelessness - Improving housing security through a housing-first approach to homelessness and encouraging the development of affordable housing and transitional housing.
Youth-involved Crime and Harm - Reducing youth participation in crime, as victims, perpetrators and witnesses, through programs that enrich families and create a sense of purpose and belonging.
Built Environment & Social Infrastructure - Creating safe opportunities for social connection through public spaces that encourage positive interaction and building relationships among community members.
The strategy builds on initiatives that already exist in Thompson, identifying their strengths, the resources they need to operate at their best, and how programs can work together to close gaps and maximize their impact.
You can read the full plan here.
