Kingston Police, city and health services team up to tackle open-air drug use
Three Kingston organisations recorded 110 arrests and 26 outreach referrals over summer patrols. Belle Park will see increased police presence from October.
Coordinated crackdown on public drug use yields 110 arrests in Kingston
Kingston Police, Addictions and Mental Health Services – Kingston Frontenac Lennox Addington, and the City of Kingston have joined forces on a public-safety initiative targeting drug use in open spaces, kingstondaily.ca reports.
Between 29 May and 31 August, officers conducted six high-enforcement deployment days and 34 paid-duty patrols across the downtown core. The operation produced 110 arrests for open-air drug use, 26 referrals to outreach services, and 229 individual interactions aimed at discouraging harmful behaviour.
The three organisations describe their strategy as a balanced and coordinated approach. Officers carried out high-visibility patrols, responded to criminal activity posing community risks, proactively engaged people who may need assistance, connected individuals with support services, and removed drug paraphernalia from public spaces.
From October, Kingston Police will expand proactive patrols to Belle Park as part of the city's broader response. Those patrols will concentrate on reducing the exploitation of vulnerable and marginalised individuals, improving safety for people using or working in the area, deterring criminal activity, and linking residents with appropriate services and resources.
Officials say the next phase relies on more than enforcement. The emphasis is on maintaining a consistent and proactive public-safety presence while strengthening collaboration among police, municipal staff, health and social-service providers, and community organisations.
Source: Google News JM — Kingston