Police using coordinated approach to address open-air drug use in Kingston

Downtown patrols saw 110 arrests made and 26 referrals to outreach services, patrols coming to Belle Park.

Three organizations in Kingston are collaborating on an initiative to address drug use in public spaces.

Kingston Police, Addictions and Mental Health Services - Kingston Frontenac Lennox Addington, and the City of Kingston will be working together to improve public safety.

In a news release, they say they have been taking a balanced and coordinated approach which saw officers conduct high-visibility patrols, responding to criminal activity that presents risks to the community, proactively engage with individuals who may require assistance, connecting individuals with services, and removing drug paraphernalia from public spaces.

Over the course of the summer (May 29 to Aug 31), Kingston Police conducted six high-enforcement deployment days and 34 paid-duty patrols in the downtown core. That resulted in 110 arrests for open-air drug use, 26 referrals to outreach services, and 229 interactions with individuals that discouraged bad behaviour.

Starting in October, Kingston Police will be increasing proactive patrols in Belle Park as part of the City's ongoing work and support a broader, coordinated response involving police, municipal staff, outreach organizations and other community partners.

These patrols will focus on reducing the exploitation of vulnerable and marginalized individuals, enhancing safety for individuals using or working in the area, deterring criminal activity, responding to behaviours that create public safety risks, supporting the work of City staff and community organizations; and connecting individuals with appropriate services and resources whenever possible.

They say the next phase is not based on enforcement alone but instead provide a consistent and proactive public safety presence while strengthening the coordinated efforts of police, municipal staff, health and social-service providers, and community organizations.

Story by Ken Hashizume