Safe 'n Sound Owen Sound (Photo by Nathan Shubert)
Safe ‘N Sound Grey Bruce is launching a new pilot program next month.
The Neighbourhood Response Team program, in partnership with Supportive Outreach Services (SOS), will support local businesses and the homeless in Owen Sound’s River District.
It will respond to concerns from both residents and businesses, as well as connect people with essential services, collect personal items from public areas to be reclaimed by their owners, and discard any sharp items.
The city says this program will held make the River District more welcoming while also addressing social challenges.
This pilot comes following feedback received from the local business community over the summer on how to bring about a vibrant River District.
Safe ‘N Sound Grey Bruce Executive Director Annette Pedlar says, “Our goal is simple: offer compassionate, non-emergency support that helps people and lightens the load on emergency services. This pilot will not solve homelessness, yet it is a concrete step we can take now while we keep pushing for increased supports for vulnerable members of our community. We see this as a partnership with the public as much as with the city, and we invite our community to engage with us so we can make this work together.”
The Neighbourhood Response Team can be accessed next month by calling 211 or 519-373-6263. More details can be found on Safe ‘N Sound’s website here.