I want to thank everyone who has participated in our recent community conversations - most recently with members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Rotary members, Chamber of Commerce and BIA members, community members at a public session at the Brodie Resource Library, and staff at the Ontario Native Women’s Association.
Your willingness to share your thoughts, concerns, and experiences is valuable. I want you to know that I hear you — and I understand the frustrations some of you are feeling when it comes to police presence in your neighbourhoods and response times to calls for service.
The challenges we face are real, and they are significant. We receive a high volume of calls, particularly for priority one responses. These calls often require immediate and focused attention, and while this is a critical aspect of our work, it can unfortunately impact our ability to respond as quickly as we would like to other calls.
Our dedicated officers move as quickly as possible from call to call. I am proud of the professionalism and compassion they continue to demonstrate.
Please know that I am actively exploring solutions to improve response times and increase our presence where it is most needed. This involves looking at ways to better allocate resources, ensuring we have the right people in the right places, and enhancing our ability to respond quickly and effectively to all calls for service.
People also share a great deal of support during these conversations. There is a high level of appreciation for the work we do, as well as an understanding of the underlying causes of crime, and a desire to collaborate to address them with meaningful, long-term solutions.
That’s why I want to emphasize the importance of continuing to report crimes, suspicious activities, and concerns to us. Your calls help us respond to immediate threats and provide important data to develop strategies informed by your experiences and the realities on the ground. This includes using online reporting when an immediate response isn’t needed. Reports can aid in gathering information to establish the probable cause needed to execute a warrant.
We are in this together, and I remain committed to making Thunder Bay a safer, stronger place for everyone. Thank you for your continued support and trust.