2014 Orazietti crop

Supplied by Sault MPP David Orazietti… Sault Ste. Marie – Ontario is investing $60,000 in a community safety and well-being program in Sault Ste. Marie to support local police and community groups in their effort to build safer, stronger communities, announced David Orazietti, MPP.

“Increasing funding at the local level both improves community well-being and is critical to preventing crime and building stronger communities,” said Orazietti. “It is incredible to see what our local police force can accomplish when the police and community work hand-in-hand to prevent crime and build a safer community.”

Overall, police funding in Sault Ste. Marie has increased over 10% since last year, with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services receiving $1,470,941 in 2015. In fact, for the first time in Ontario, in 2005, the provincial liberal government funded an additional 60 municipal police officers in Northern Ontario.  Historically the province has paid the cost for provincial policing but continues to provide direct funding to the City of Sault Ste. Marie for 8 additional police officers.  The total funding for municipal policing from the province to date is $4,584,029.

The province is providing today’s funding through the Proceeds of Crime Front-Line Policing Grant to help local police services and community groups carry out crime prevention and community safety initiatives. The grant money comes from assets that have been forfeited, seized and turned over to the police from the federal government to the province following criminal prosecutions.

This year, the funding will be supporting the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service in mobilizing municipal government, not-for-profits, social service providers, and community residents to develop and implement a community well-being and safety plan in Sault Ste. Marie.

“This new funding will support continued efforts by police, partner agencies and community residents involved with the Neighbourhood Resource Centre on Gore Street and who are working towards the development of a Community Well-being and Safety Strategy through the Algoma Leadership Table,” said Chief Robert Keetch.

The Neighbourhood Resource Centre (NRC) was recently recognized for their work when they received the 2015 Community Safety and Crime Prevention Award at the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Awards Ceremony in Toronto.

“This award recognizes the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our local police force as well as everyone in our community who has supported the Neighbourhood Resource Centre,” said Orazietti.

The NRC was established in 2014 to proactively address crime and social disorder in Sault Ste. Marie, as well as improve the lives of Sault residents through the engagement and mobilization of both residents and community partners.

Supporting safe, healthy communities is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.