I’m proud to share that according to a recent Statistics Canada report, Halton continues to be one of the safest communities in the country.
For the 14th year in a row, Halton has maintained its position of having the lowest Crime Severity Index (CSI) of all Canadian municipalities with a population of 100,000 or more according to Statistics Canada’s recently released annual report (external link).
Thanks to our community’s dedication to the safety and well-being of our residents, Halton region had the lowest overall crime rate, as well as the lowest violent crime rate and property crime rate among Ontario’s large municipalities.
Halton remains a safe, healthy and resilient community because we continue to work collaboratively on important issues related to safety and well-being. Since the launch of our award-winning plan, Community Safety and Well-Being in Halton: A Plan for Collaboration and Action (PDF file) in 2017, Halton Region, the Halton Regional Police Service and our community partners have been working together to identify and address priority issues including:
- enhancing access to mental health supports for children and youth;
- creating a more coordinated approach to homelessness;
- improving the response to sexual assault;
- supporting youth exiting child welfare services;
- reducing harmful alcohol consumption; and
- reducing isolation among older adults.
Through collaboration with our community partners, we have been able to identify who in the community is best positioned to develop solutions for many of these key issues.
Designated point of Access Model
A key development in these priorities has been bringing together local child and youth mental health services providers to establish a designated point of access to the mental health system. This will make it easier for children, youth and their families to connect to the right services, at the right time. The designated point of access model will launch by the fall.
Making progress through partnerships
The Region wants to ensure those in need of help receive the support they need when they need it – before there is a crisis. With this in mind, Halton and its partners are establishing a framework to strengthen how we identify and support individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This community safety and well-being initiative will provide a centralized model of intake and referral, a common assessment tool and a process to better connect individuals with mental health services.
Together with the Halton Regional Police Service and our community partners, we will continue to develop and implement strategies that strengthen our safety and well-being and ensure that Halton continues to be a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. For more information about the key issues and initiatives being addressed through our Community Safety & Well-Being Plan, visit halton.ca.