CORNWALL/UNITED COUNTIES –A group of 21 local agencies have come together to launch a project that will help ensure the safety of individuals, families and groups of people across Cornwall and the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry who are at high risk of suffering from violent acts.

The Cornwall Stormont Dundas Glengarry (CSDG) Situation Table brings together partners from a variety of sectors including mental health, victim services, social services, as well as school boards, the Children’s Aid Society and the police. The goal is to reduce the chances of something bad happening to someone imminently.

Cases will be presented at regular weekly meetings and members of the CSDG Situation Table will take action to reduce the imminent risk of harm in a timely manner, usually within 24 to 48 hours. The Situation Table will remain involved in the case until the level of risk has been reduced.

Most situations the Table deals with concern a single individual, a family, or a group of people who are affected by multiple risk factors, including mental health issues, domestic conflict, addictions and homelessness. The CSDG Situation Table will work to mitigate the risks rather than wait for a harmful incident that would require an emergency response, all while protecting the privacy of the people being assisted.

Rapid mobilization Tables such as the CSDG Situation Table make police services part of a stronger safety net, rather than being the entire net themselves. “An early collaborative intervention from the Situation Table will help prevent crimes and improve the safety and well-being of the community and local residents,” explained Chantal Prieur, Director of Community Support Services at Counselling and Support Services of SDG, in the recent release.

For more information about the CSDG Situation Table, contact Staff Sergeant Brian Snyder with the Cornwall Community Police Service at snyder.b@cornwallpolice.com.