Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
Huron County, Community Safety and Well-Being Website
The website highlights the four priority areas outlined in the Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan for Huron as required by the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 as well as local supports identified in relation to the priority areas.
In 2018, the Province of Ontario passed Bill 175, “Safer Ontario Act”. This Act requires that every municipality in Ontario adopt a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. The Huron County Community Safety and Well Being Plan was prepared in collaboration with all 9 lower-tier municipalities in Huron County and a multi-sectoral Advisory Committee that included representatives from social and community organizations, school boards, boards of health, the police service and other local service providers working to protect or enhance safety and well-being.
The Plan was adopted in June 2021 by Howick Township Council and has identified the following four (4) priority areas for action based on their research and community engagement:
- Mental Health and Addictions
- Housing and Homelessness
- Domestic and Family Violence
- Community Safety and Security
A multi-sectoral Oversight Committee has been established to oversee the implementation of the Plan. Collaboration across sectors is important so that root causes of crime and complex social issues can be addressed by focusing holistically on social development, prevention, and risk prevention. This approach to community safety and well-being recognizes that complex social problems cannot be addressed by the police alone. Local service providers working in areas such as health, mental health and addictions, education, community and social services, and children and youth services play an integral role.
Four (4) campaigns are being created for 2024. The first campaign focused on Mental Health and Addictions. The second campaign runs from April 1 to June 30 and focuses on Intimate Partner Violence. The focus of this campaign is to education residents of Huron County on statistics, warning signs, support individuals can provide, and resources available.
Residents are encouraged to take the free one-hour online training "Neighbours, Friends and Families". This public education is to raise aware3ness so that those close to someone at risk or to someone using abusive behaviour, can help.
The CTV News report of April 1, 2024 can be viewed here for more information on the campaign and Intimate Partner Violence in Huron County.
For more information about the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan Oversight Committee, please contact Michaela Johnston, CEMC, Accessibility and Health & Safety Manager, Town of Goderich at 519-524-8344 extension 212 or mjohnston@goderich.ca