CANADA, March 25 - People in Victoria at risk of harm or victimization will benefit from a $30,000 grant to create a community-based team of front-line workers to deliver better, faster access to services.

The teams, known as “situation tables,” are made up of representatives from health, public safety and social service agencies. They proactively identify vulnerable individuals or families who have a significant probability of committing criminal offences or experiencing harm or victimization, and rapidly connect them to services before they experience a negative or traumatic event.

“Situation tables strengthen the co-ordination and effectiveness of social services for high-risk individuals,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “The goal is to assist vulnerable individuals and to increase public safety for everyone in the community.”

Funding is provided by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General’s Office of Crime Reduction and Gang Outreach (OCR-GO). Since 2017, the OCR-GO has invested more than $1.2 million to develop new tables or enhance existing ones. In 2021-22, the office is providing more than $230,000 to eight communities.

There are 15 situation tables operating in B.C., with work underway on nine more.

Quotes:

Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions –

“When people are in crisis, they need compassionate support and individualized problem-solving. That’s why our government is bringing together front-line workers from multiple agencies, not-for-profits and law enforcement. Situation tables both conserve police resources and connect people to the care they need. I am grateful that a situation table is coming to Victoria and optimistic that this powerful tool will connect its community members with services and solve problems before they grow.”

Grace Lore, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill –

“Working together and co-ordinating care will help service providers best support people in Victoria. This new situation table will make a big difference in helping connect people to resources and services, and I am so glad we are supporting the efforts of Victoria’s front-line care providers to work as a team.

Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin –

“By bringing together different front-line care providers through situation tables, we are helping make sure more people get the supports they need. Working together is the most effective way to proactively support people, and this initiative will go a long way to support the most vulnerable people in our community.”  

Lisa Helps, mayor, City of Victoria –

“The City of Victoria is pleased to receive funding and a seat at our own situation table. The situation table program is an important tool in the service of our community. It will not only reduce demand on emergency and police services, but more importantly it will take a collaborative approach to getting people the assistance they need directly from the organizations that provide them.”

Learn More:

For more information on situation tables, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/policing-in-bc/ocr-go/situation-tables