The City of Prince George will be expanding its Naloxone Pilot Program.
According to a report that will be presented to Prince George City Council at tomorrow’s (Monday) meeting, naloxone has been administered 21 times by Bylaw Officers since the pilot program was first implemented in November 2022.
“This success translates to 21 lives not being lost,” wrote Director of Public Safety Adam Davey in the report.
“Requests have now come from other employees within Bylaw Services to be trained so they can assist when required as they are also meeting individuals experiencing overdoses in their daily duties throughout Prince George.”
Davey also notes that relationships with individuals downtown as well as with non-profits have improved.
However, Bylaw Officers will soon start to carry defensive batons, OC spray (pepper spray) and handcuffs.
This is the result of a ‘best practices’ and training program review of peer municipalities.
“Bylaw Services in Prince George now has 21 officers that all have contact in their daily duties with individuals who are experiencing mental health issues, drug addiction and in some instances homelessness. They also come into contact on a regular basis with individuals that are angered by this situation and attribute the situation to inaction on the part of the municipality,” Davey writes.
“This translates into a precarious situation for the Bylaw Officers on the street as they have limited legal authority and currently no tools they can use to protect themselves should their interactions with the public turn hostile and potentially violent.”
Davey added Bylaw staff take part in conflict de-escalation and other verbal training which does not always work.
“Very often people are angry and confrontational when Bylaw Officers attend their residence to deal with seemingly routine complaints such as parking or minor property maintenance issues,” Davey wrote.
“Animal Control Officers are dealing with aggressive dogs and often aggressive dog owners daily. Even Parking Control Officers have been followed, yelled at, and physically threatened.”
City of Prince George Bylaw Officers will start carrying the batons, pepper spray and handcuffs on August 1st.
Other items to be discussed at tomorrow’s meeting include an asset management strategy update, and a public hearing for a four-lot subdivision on Gunn Road
The full agenda can be found here.
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