People in Fort St. John will be better served by a collaborative approach to complex social challenges that brings together a diverse range of front-line workers to deliver faster access to services for individuals at risk of harm or victimization.

Safe Community Situation Tables gather front-line workers from the public safety, health and social-service sectors to identify high-risk individuals and rapidly connect them to services and supports they need, before they experience a negative or traumatic event.

“Every person in every community wants to feel safe. The incidents of violence and vandalism that have emerged in recent years in B.C. communities, particularly in the northeast, are very concerning,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “That’s why we are working with the community of Fort St. John to implement a Safe Community Situation Table that will strengthen the ability to respond to challenges they are facing, better protecting people, while swiftly connecting them to essential services.”

Communities in northern British Columbia have been experiencing an uptick in violence, and Fort St. John will be one of 36 communities in B.C. with Safe Community Situation Tables operating throughout the province. Members of the Fort St. John table are expected to complete their training and onboarding in the coming months. The partners will meet on a weekly basis to address issues pertaining to their community, such as mental health and addictions, homelessness, poverty, violent repeat offending and survival crime.  

“I am grateful for the Province’s generous support of the Fort St. John situation table, which will enable us to bolster our community’s efforts in addressing complex social issues and providing timely assistance to those in need,” said Lila Hansen, mayor of Fort St. John. “Together, we continue to build a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

The Province is supporting Fort St. John with a $75,000 grant to assist with implementation.