Police initiatives that have reduced crime and calls for service while helping people in crisis access needed services will continue thanks to provincial funding.
The Windsor Police Service and partners received over $2.2 million in Community Safety and Policing grants to continue the Problem-Oriented Policing Unit, the Crisis Response Team (in partnership with Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare), and the Nurse Police Team (in partnership with Windsor Regional Hospital).
Windsor Police Chief Jason Bellaire said these made-in-Windsor programs have resulted in less crime and enhanced services throughout the community.
"We are getting to priority-one response calls faster than we have in our recent history. We are trending down on all crime, both violent and property crime. We're trending down on violent interactions between police officers and community members. We're trending down on overall calls for service," said Bellaire.
The Problem Oriented Policing Unit received $1.14 million to continue operations. The POP unit focuses on problem areas of the city, like the Glengarry neighbourhood, to provide proactive response.
The Crisis Response Team received $632,970 in grant funding. Through this program, social workers from Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare are partnered with Windsor Police officers to respond to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. This team has responded to 3,085 calls so far in 2025.
The Nurse Police Team received $500,000 in grant funding. The initiative partners nurses from Windsor Regional Hospital with police officers to proactively respond a provide proactive care to people struggling with mental health and substance use challenges. So far in 2025, the teams have handled 1,943 calls, distributed 80 doses of Naloxone, made 291 referrals to community resources and diverted 436 visits from hospital emergency rooms.
