Beebe made a presentation to town council to provide updates on the detachment’s operations and to promote a new camera program aimed at preventing crime and identifying perpetrators. He said the province selected the Bracebridge OPP as first on the list for detachment updates in 2026. The new facility will be built at the site of the current detachment, replacing the existing building from 1957.

“We’re just right now in the structure phase and what it looks like exterior-wise,” Beebe said to council. “It will be rather robust with two floors and allow the growth that we’re experiencing right now with officers inside the detachment.”

Beebe said the detachment is in a good place with staffing, which has allowed the local OPP forces to move forward with several “proactive” programs. The detachment is implementing a new approach to bicycle and foot patrols along with having a dedicated marine program for the first time.

In January, the detachment extended its mental health crisis response team in cooperation with the Huntsville OPP. Crisis workers are assigned to officers for crisis and mental health calls, which has reduced related hospital admissions by 18 per cent. The OPP hope to extend the program for another three years.

The Bracebridge detachment has also created an intimate partner violence coordinator to oversee domestic violence issues in the community and provide oversight on criminal investigations. The role also includes coordination of the offender management apprehension program, which seeks to ensure compliance with release orders and avoid repeat offenses.

In addition, officers are working to address the opioid crisis with a variety of interventions and education programs. One major component of the plan is distributing naloxone and improving public awareness.

With all these changes underway, Beebe said the new building will be a much-needed improvement for the detachment.

“It’s kind of outgrown its four walls, and we need to get some help with a new building,” he said. “That’s very positive news for our members, especially ones that have been there for an extended period of time.”

Visit the Town of Gravenhurst’s Youtube to watch the council meeting from June 18.

The post Bracebridge OPP Set To Build New Detachment In 2026 appeared first on Muskoka411.

“The Solicitor General defines community safety and wellbeing as ‘the ideal state of a sustainable community where everyone is safe, has a sense of belonging, opportunities to participate and where individuals and families are able to meet their needs for education, health care, food, housing, income, social and cultural expression’,” said District Chair John Klinck.  “Muskoka’s CSWP plan will focus on tangible actions we can take together to create a safe and inclusive community for all of our residents.”

The District wants to hear from you! Community safety and wellbeing involves everyone and safety and wellbeing mean different things to different people. 

The District is hosting two virtual community input sessions, as well as an online survey to collect advice and ideas from the community. Please join one of the upcoming virtual input sessions or share your thoughts by completing the online survey.

 Community Input Sessions:

•  July 20, 2021 from 3:30 – 5:00 pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84635380652?pwd=L2xQVWx1a09CUzBpQ1hpcE8rYmlJUT09
• July 27, 2021 from 3:30 – 5:00 pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83089785886?pwd=OHBKRzlURUU1ajZDK3dGMFRMUjhWUT09

Online survey:

• Survey Opens July 12, 2021
• Survey Closes July 30, 2021
• engagemuskoka.ca/community-safety-and-wellbeing-cswb/survey_tools/cswb-surveys

Community partners are also being consulted including emergency services, health and wellness providers, area municipalities and First Nations, children & youth services, housing and social services.

To learn more about the plan and how you can share your thoughts, click here.

The post What Does Community Safety And Wellbeing Mean To You? appeared first on Muskoka411.