The city’s police chief is listening to community concerns

THUNDER BAY — Thunder Bay Police Chief Darcy Fleury is trying to rebuild trust with a series of question-and-answer sessions around town.

Fleury told Newswatch that the purpose of these Network with the Chief events is not only to be present in the community with boots on the ground, but to listen to the concerns of people who feel unsafe in Thunder Bay neighborhoods.

He made a stop at the St. Joseph Care on Wednesday afternoon to answer questions from the public about mental health and addiction; however, some of the audience’s questions covered topics such as foot patrols and bail reform.

Fleury said in an interview with Newswatch that mental health and addiction align with the profile of guns and gangs as an interconnected problem, which is why the Thunder Bay Police Service is taking steps to collaborate with agencies like St. Joseph Care Group to ensure that a wrap-around system is in place.

“It’s not always about applying and just having that awareness,” Fleury said. “We really need to put some emphasis on helping these people and getting them out of that lifestyle and making sure they have every opportunity to be healthy in this community.”

Between January and August, the police service dealt with nearly 1,500 calls to the police in relation to mental health issues.

Fleury said those calls put a strain on resources.

“This is a very big impact for us,” said the chief. “On occasions when I’ve gone to the office, I see all of our vehicles at the hospital. It’s a real strain on resources because we can’t leave someone who’s in some kind of crisis or having some kind of episode.” .

Some officers travel with a mental health worker to help ease the pressure; this team can assess the mental health status of the person who needs help and get the right care. Fleury said he would like to see the program expand.

Earlier this year, Superior North EMS also announced its STAR program where a mental health worker and paramedic respond to less violent situations where they can have the greatest impact.

“That’s another benefit of the service because we’re not responding to those calls and we can work together and sort it out individually so we don’t have to spend more resources,” Fleury said.

During the Q&A, a city resident asked Fleury about the decline in preventative work like foot patrols.

He explained that he has noticed a significant decrease in patrols in the waterfront business sector.

“Some are locking their doors and you have to call. Some are stealing stuff right off the shelves saying I need it more than you. Why don’t we have a presence?” she asked.

Fleury acknowledged that it’s frustrating for small businesses that need to close their doors and let customers in one at a time.

“We’re focused on that,” Fleury said. “It’s not something that we’re like done and more. We’re working with some businesses in the community and things like that with some plans. It really is, it’s poor behavior and we just have to address it.”

Another resident asked Fleury, regarding guns and gangs, how quickly criminal cases move through the justice system.

His concern is those criminals who are released on bail and reoffend while awaiting a court date.

“It’s a concern across the board, across the country,” Fleury said. “I’ve seen it in some of the other provinces I’ve been to, where our team goes out, and they do a fantastic job. They put the person in jail and by the time you get to the office they’re out.”

“So this is a real problem that needs to be solved. It’s a policing issue and it’s also a justice issue. I mean, how do we make sure these people don’t just walk away,” he added.