Community advocates are urging a fundamental shift in how public safety is approached in Peel Region. They argue for strategies that emphasize prevention and community-led services, as opposed to traditional policing.
The recently presented Rethinking Community Safety in Peel Region report highlights a striking statistic: 80% of calls to Peel police involve non-criminal matters, including mental health crises and homelessness. The report recommends reallocating resources to address root causes of safety concerns, thereby reducing the burden on law enforcement.
Commissioned by the Anti-Black Racism and Systemic Discrimination Collective (ABR-SD) and developed by research firm Blueprint ADE, the report was presented to Peel Regional Council on Nov. 22. It has since been referred to staff for further review.
Mississauga Ward 9 Councillor Martin Reid praised the data-driven approach of the report.
“Having solid data allows for meaningful conversations that lead to real change,” Reid said during the council meeting.
The Case for Community Responder Models
Sean Meagher, a member of ABR-SD, emphasized that police are often deployed to situations better handled by specialized community teams.
“We send officers to thousands of calls that have little to do with crime or violence,” Meagher said. “There are professionals trained for this work, but they lack the necessary resources.”
The report underscores the effectiveness of community responder models implemented in cities like Portland and Denver. These programs provide on-site care, including wound treatment, medication administration, and mental health crisis de-escalation.
Results from these cities show significant impacts:
- In Portland, the program led to an 11.5% reduction in arrests related to non-emergency welfare checks.
- In Toronto, a similar initiative diverted over 1,500 calls from police within its first six months.
Angela Carter, ABR-SD co-chair, sees potential for Peel Region to replicate these successes by expanding its Community Rapid Response Team. Currently operating only 11 hours a day, the team is underfunded and limited in scope.
Budget Concerns and Community Needs
The report comes amid a proposed 21.3% increase to the Peel Regional Police budget, amounting to an additional $136 million. This would fund 300 new officers and 65 civilian roles.
However, critics question whether this aligns with community needs. Local activist David Bosveld believes the budget increase overlooks essential investments in social services, education, and healthcare.
“Research consistently shows more officers don’t solve safety issues,” Bosveld argued. “We need to invest in poverty reduction and other community supports.”
The proposed police budget accounts for 4.1% of the anticipated 5.5% property tax increase for Brampton and Mississauga residents in 2025.
A Call for Holistic Solutions
ABR-SD members are calling for a paradigm shift, emphasizing collaboration and community well-being over enforcement.
“When people think safety, they immediately think police. We need to change that mindset,” Carter said.
Meagher reinforced the importance of deliberate investments. “Let’s send the right people to the calls where they can make the most impact,” he said.
As Peel Council prepares to deliberate on the police budget in the coming weeks, advocates hope for a more inclusive and preventative approach to public safety.