There will be no final decision made tomorrow, but Saskatoon’s Planning, Development and Community Services Committee will discuss a report from Administration about possibly moving the management of Community Support Officers in the Riversdale, Broadway and downtown areas to the Fire Department. This program has been under the Downtown Business Improvement District’s oversight since it began and funded by parking revenue in all three BIDs.

Downtown Saskatoon’s Executive Director, Brent Penner says it has been an effective program, with uniformed officers providing community outreach to connect vulnerable people with supports and to deal with minor disturbances. He believes though that for any efforts to be truly effective there needs to be more happening from senior levels of government around access to treatment for those with drug addictions or mental health issues.

Administration’s report to the Committee cites that while oversight of the program by the Downtown Saskatoon BID has been effective, the increasing complexity of the work requires greater capacity and collaboration with other public safety initiatives already underway. Downtown Saskatoon’s contract with the City expires at the end of this year. Penner adds that if the option to have the program transferred to the Saskatoon Fire Department doesn’t come to fruition, Downtown Saskatoon would be amenable to signing another agreement with the City.