An initiative to fight violent crime in a downtown Windsor neighbourhood has already produced dramatic results.
On Tuesday morning, Windsor police provided a 30-day progress report on its community safety initiative in the Glengarry Avenue area near Caesars Windsor, and it is having the desired effect.
Since the initiative was launched on August 10, only one violent crime was reported to police in the section of Glengarry between University Avenue East and Brant Street. In the first seven months of 2024, there was a total of 28 violent crimes reported, an average of four per month.
"We want to ensure that people who reside in and visit the Glengarry neighbourhood feel safe and know that we are doing all we can to respond to their concerns," said Windsor Police Deputy Chief of Operations Jason Crowley. "We also want to build better connections with residents through different engagement strategies, knowing that better relationships can help to reduce crime and improve community safety."
Arrests on that two-block stretch were up 38.8 per cent over the past 30 days. During a two-day sting on August 20 and 21, 24 people were arrested with 48 charges laid and ten outstanding warrants executed.
The partnership began following concerns raised by residents and the Windsor Essex Community Housing Corporation (WECHC). The increased police presence has helped create a proactive approach to preventing crime.
But, Police Chief Jason Bellaire warned that the fight will be an ongoing one, meaning the environment must change to keep crime from happening in the first place.
"While the Windsor Police Service is taking proactive steps to improve community safety in the Glengarry neighbourhood, a data-driven cross-sectoral strategy is needed to better address the societal issues that drive violent crime," said Bellaire. "We are looking to community partners in health and human services for the necessary actions towards solutions that address the root causes of crime and social disorder, and to facilitate access to appropriate support services."
An office space has been opened at Wheelton Manor on 333 Glengarry, operated by police, Family Services Windsor-Essex, and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Units that will also operate from this space include the Windsor police's Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) Unit, the City Centre Patrol Team, the Nurse Police Team, and the Crisis Response Team.