3 days ago
Prince Albert narrows down location for new complex needs shelter
The City of Prince Albert is finalizing a location for the new complex needs shelter, which will house clients who may present a danger to themselves or others.
'When we talk about a complex needs facility, we're not talking about the same discussion as providing a shelter service,' said Prince Albert Police Chief Patrick Nogier. 'We're taking a very proactive approach to ensure that individuals are put in touch with resources that can potentially lower the number of calls coming in regarding people who need help and are in complex situations.'
City council is considering the old liquor store on the corner of 9th Street and 1st Avenue East.
Mayor Powalinsky says he lives in that ward and sees the need for a complex needs facility.
'It's close to where we get a lot of issues with people who need to have that intervention,' said Powalinsky. 'The province owns the building. We don't need a new build. It'll be faster to get online, because it's just simply a case of the renovation. And, ultimately, because it's a closed facility, people don't walk in and walk out.'
Clients will be brought in by police and transitioned into social supports or specified care, providing an alternative to housing them in police cells.
'I have a deputy chief that is dialed into how many hours and the cost of policing hours that are associated to these apprehensions, and the numbers are staggering,' said Nogier.
'When you put a dollar figure on it, that needs to change. So, we talk about being efficient as an organization. If we continue to go down the same path, arresting people, putting them in our facility, in our cells, we will not make a difference in the city.'
Two complex needs shelters are already operational, one in Regina and one in Saskatoon.
The decision on whether to proceed with the old liquor store will be made at the next city council meeting.
