Drugs, Homelessness (reply to an email)

2. Do you have a clear and actionable plan to address the issues of homelessness and rising crime in our city?

Yes, as I mentioned at the Firefighters Forum — take this action plan (Chamber noted below) and act on it. The City needs to stay at arm’s length when it comes to addressing homelessness and addiction. We shouldn’t be wasting taxpayer dollars trying to do what others are already better equipped to handle. There are many qualified and experienced organizations out there that should be working together under one umbrella — a single coordinated society — that comes to the City only with a clear, unified plan forward.

Keeping our city safe and well-built starts with being visible, proactive, and smart with resources. I want more foot patrols by Peace Officers downtown, better lighting, and a volunteer “downtown ambassador” program to deter petty crime and make residents feel safer. With the RCMP contract ending in 2032, we can create a Red Deer Municipal Police force, letting RCMP and Alberta Sheriffs (SCAN) focus on organized crime and drug sources instead of smaller offenses. At the same time, partnering with third-party organizations for non-core services like tourism, culture, and economic development keeps taxpayer money focused on core services like public safety and infrastructure. By combining prevention, presence, and smart partnerships, we can build a safer, stronger, and more vibrant community for everyone.

https://www.reddeerchamber.com/assets/pdf/TaskForceRecommendationsFINAL/

Summarized: Create a Red Deer Homeless Foundation non profit to coordinate homelessness strategy:

Transfer responsibilities from the City and provide transitional funding to 2025
Apply a business lens to homelessness considering economic impacts
Increase community education and awareness
Remove red tape in zoning and permitting to speed affordable housing
Coordinate funding among agencies to reduce duplication
Modernize the Alberta Housing Act for local flexibility
Integrate homelessness strategy into the City’s Community Wellbeing and Safety Plan
Develop provincial and federal affordable housing pathways
Use public private partnerships for housing delivery
Improve provincial funding and accountability
Adjust federal tax and housing policies to support housing trusts
Integrate addiction recovery employment and housing policies
Launch Team Red Deer to encourage community involvement
Promote citizen participation through volunteering and learning