THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board is asking the province for $1 million to launch a two-year community policing pilot project in partnership with the Thunder Bay Police Service.
The initiative proposes deploying a team of special constables, who would provide a consistent, visible, and responsive police presence at social housing units operated by the DSSAB.
“We’re looking to take this to the next level,” said Crystal Simeoni, director of integrated social services. “We’re seeking funding to support dedicated police presence within our directly owned properties and looking at the vision of community policing.”
The DSSAB owns more than 2,400 housing units across the district, home to seniors, families, and individuals requiring supportive housing. In recent years, the housing portfolio has shifted toward more complex tenancies.
“We have the hardest-to-house individuals in our community,” Simeoni said. “A lot of our tenants are sort of preyed upon, and we’re looking to do as much as we can to support them.”
The pilot would build on an existing partnership with TBPS, particularly through its community oriented response and engagement (CORE) unit. From 2021 to 2024, TBDSSAB and CORE collaborated on 681 tenant support visits, including 216 in 2024 alone. These joint efforts have aided in de-escalating unsafe situations, deterring criminal activity, and reducing home takeovers.
Despite extensive investments in security, including contracted services, video surveillance, and crime prevention through environmental design improvements, challenges persist.
“We always do our best to have our buildings as secure as possible,” Simeoni said. “Sometimes human behaviour impacts that, but we do all we can to keep them as safe as possible.”
The proposed policing model would mirror Toronto’s long-standing community safety unit, assigning one supervisor and three Special Constables to provide proactive, site-specific support. “If we are able to find that funding or get the support from SolGen,” Simeoni added, “then that 100 per cent will be another piece that feeds into the steps we are already currently taking.”
TBPS has voiced its full support for the initiative.
“The Thunder Bay Police Service has a strong working relationship with the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board,” said Matt Vis, media relations coordinator. “We are committed to working together to expand that partnership. Collaboration is key to strengthening community safety.”
“This is about setting a different tone,” Simeoni said. “It’s about meeting people where they are, in their homes, with the right level of presence and the right supports.”
This proposal, outlined in Report No. 2025-22 (Attachment #4), will be presented at the 2025 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference with a formal request for provincial funding from the Solicitor General of Ontario.
