Belleville Police Inspector Chris Barry and Camilla Roberto at Belleville city council, February 12, 2018 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
The number of cases of people at risk and needing help is on the rise in Belleville, Quinte West, and Hastings County.
At Belleville city council this week, Belleville Police Inspector Chris Barry and Carmela Roberto of Hastings County presented a report from the Safety and Well Being Committee or Situation Table.
Representing more than 30 agencies, the Situation Table meets weekly to review cases of people at “elevated risk” who may do “significant harm to themselves or others”.
Roberto says the group determines which agency will be lead agency for the intervention.
More than 65 people have been trained for this particular work and Belleville may be able to help with the cost of a coordinator.
Last year the Table dealt with 37 cases. Roberto said situations involved mental health, addictions, homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. Belleville and Quinte West had the most cases.
The Situation Table includes Belleville Police Service, Quinte West OPP, Central Hastings OPP, Hastings County Social Services, and Hastings-Quinte Paramedics.
Roberto explained the group had applied for a grant to hire a coordinator to help with the work but did not succeed.
Councillor Mitch Panciuk suggested the group apply to the city for some of the money it receives from the casino, to enable it to hire a coordinator.
