For Immediate Release
November 28, 2023
#2023-10
SMITHERS – The Town of Smithers has recently been awarded the Northern Healthy Communities Grant to support hiring an additional Community Safety Officer to address bylaw services in the community. This new position will provide support for community safety initiatives, bylaw enforcement, and liaise with businesses and stakeholders to identify neighbourhood and downtown strategies.
The new Community Safety Officer position will provide needed additional capacity to the Town of Smithers Bylaw Enforcement Services with respect to the increasing homeless population in the community. The Town has identified the need for additional capacity to support both the regular bylaw enforcement duties, community policing liaison, and the community safety impacts from the homeless encampment at Veterans Peace Park. The new Community Safety Officer position will help to reduce the impact on the local law enforcement resources by creating positive, proactive support, with a focus on vulnerable persons, to prevent problematic social behaviours along with addressing health and safety concerns. This grant funding will provide support by having staff liaison with the RCMP and support service agencies for local vulnerable and homeless populations.
Funding for this new position is provided through the Province of B.C.'s Northern Healthy Communities Fund, administered by the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT). The funding for this new Community Safety Officer position has been granted for a three-year period starting in 2024.
"This grant funding will provide additional capacity for the Town to be more involved in our local community safety initiatives and provide enhanced support to businesses and stakeholders in the community," said Mayor Gladys Atrill. "Council has heard from both businesses and residents the need for increased community safety service and proactive support focusing on the downtown core."
The posting for the Town of Smithers Community Safety Officer position is now open, and interested applicants can visit smithers.ca/career-opportunities to apply.
Background:
Province of B.C. Northern Healthy Communities Fund funding announcement.
Media Contact:
Will George, Director of Community Services
wgeorge@smithers.ca
(250) 847-1600
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