Guelph Police dedicating more resources to downtown public safety initiative

(Terry Kelly/CTV Kitchener)

The Guelph Police Service is planning to dedicate more resources to ensuring public safety in the city’s downtown area as part of an ongoing initiative.

In a news release, police said the downtown core has had the highest number of reported drug poisoning incidents compared to any other neighbourhood in the city.

To address the growing needs in the area, police have deployed more community resource officers to the area with the assistance of a Canadian Mental Health Association mental health worker.

They said, in the last six months, officers have reported more than 600 interactions with at least 100 people.

Since the beginning of 2023, police have completed at least 35 trafficking investigations leading to 80 arrests and more than 460 charges.

However, in the news release, police acknowledge problems persist in the area. They have been receiving complaints from citizens regarding public safety and illegal drug use.

“For the next several weeks, additional resources will be dedicated to the downtown, to specifically address public safety, including open drug use and associated criminal behaviours. Where lawful grounds exist, arrests will take place and drugs will be seized,” the release reads.