Saskatoon Fire Department recommended to take on Community Support Program in city centre BIDs
City Administration recommends oversight of the Community Support Program (CSP) be transferred to the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) to provide better coordination and integration to address community safety and well-being.
“Much has changed since the Community Support Program rolled out,” says Assistant Chief Yvonne Raymer. “That is why we are recommending a whole-community team approach to deal with safety and well-being in our city core and elsewhere. With this approach, we will be able to maintain the current level of support in the core business districts and enhance our response with Transit support workers and partnerships with specially trained police officers.”
For several years, the Downtown Saskatoon Business Improvement District (BID) has administrated the CSP, which provides uniform patrols within the boundaries of the three city centre BIDs of Downtown, Riversdale, and Broadway.
An information report will be presented to City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services at its June 7 regular meeting. The report notes that with the current agreement with the Downtown BID set to expire, SFD recognized that greater capacity and collaboration with other public safety initiatives already underway is required to address the needs of those requiring supports in Saskatoon. Such an arrangement would also allow for better information or data sharing so the teams can develop evidence-based responses and solutions for social distress in our community.
Assistant Chief Raymer notes the SFD – through various initiatives – has already worked to gain trust and build relationships with the most vulnerable in Saskatoon.
“Through discussions with the BIDs, it was identified that transitioning operations of the CSP to the SFD, beginning in 2024, may be a suitable option, particularly given that SFD plays a significant role in response and outreach for those in need. In line with this view, we very recently began a pilot Task Force of Saskatoon Police Service Alternative Response Officers (ARO) and SFD Fire Inspectors, which we believe has the team approach that we think will be an effective community safety model.”
Administration will continue to explore the transition of the oversight of the CSP to the SFD, which will include engagement with community partners such as the Saskatoon Police Service, the Street Activity Subcommittee and the Downtown Saskatoon, Riversdale, and Broadway BIDs.
The review will also include participation from Saskatoon Transit. At its regular meeting on May 31, City Council approved a recommendation to explore a transit support workers program using a “One City” approach to address the need identified for targeted safety support services.
A subsequent report on the transition of the CSP will be brought forward in advance of the 2024-2025 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget.