Stop Policing Mental Health

Last year City Council committed to expanding non-police interventions to address vulnerable people, but now it looks like they are not really that interested in change.

Council committed to developing new non-police initiatives as part of a multi-year plan to make sure we stopped sending police to do social work with homeless people, people facing mental health challenges, distressed youth, and others.

That process was supposed to start in October, but it got deferred to November, then bumped to December, and now it is scheduled for January.

Now we've learned that going forward, beyond funds for the pilots announced last year, the CIty will commit only $1.1 million to make plans for future interventions for people in crisis, with no funding for implementation this year. Meanwhile the City is plowing another $25 million into increased policing for mental health and other vulnerable populations.

Tell City Council that new investments should focus on non-police interventions, not more policing. We shouldn’t be spending $25 million more sending police to tasks they are not the best trained or suited for. Those funds should be moved to new, non-police interventions like Council promised a year ago.

Stop Policing Mental Health

207

Goal: 300

Why are we spending $25 million more on policing and so much less on alternatives?

Mental health is a health issue, not a crime, but we still send police to most “wellness checks” and mental health crises - sometimes with disastrous results.

Last year, City Council promised ongoing reform, including targeted programs for youth and homeless people, and a multi-year plan for ongoing action. But this work has been delayed and under-resourced, while we plow millions more into policing people in mental health crises.

Let’s make sure the councillors develop and fund all the new programs they promised, and take the policing out of health care.

You can use the text below to send a message, and you can also personalize it to address your thoughts to your local councillor and the mayor.

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Address *

Postal Code *

Representatives

Please enter a postal code to continue.

Dear [recipient position will go here] [recipient name will go here],

Your Letter *

Sincerely,
[your name will go here] [your location will go here]

[node:og-group-ref] will keep [submission:values:first_name] and your constituents informed about your position on this issue.

Email Opt In

I would like to stay informed about Alternatives to policing and other Reach Out Response Network campaigns.

Leave this field blank

This campaign is hosted by Ontario for All. We will protect your privacy, and keep you informed about this campaign and others.