Downtown Community Safety Connections
The CONNECT Team, (formerly the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ WATCH), has transitioned to the DCSP to provide frontline non-emergency response and assistance for the downtown.
Members of the CONNECT Team will provide a friendly and welcoming presence to those living, working and visiting downtown. They are a first point of contact for assistance and referral for all members of the downtown community as part of the continuum of service teams within the DCSP being built to enhance safety, health and well-being.
I was pleased to be a part of the work to bring this change up and out of council.
The CONNECT Team will focus on proactive community engagement with an emphasis on understanding the needs of individuals and appropriately connecting them to available resources in the downtown and surrounding area. Work continues to mobilize two additional DCSP teams that will support CONNECT in providing a continuum of 24/7 assistance to the downtown community.
- The Mobile Assist and Connect (MAC247) Team and Community Outreach Advocacy Resource (COAR) Team, formerly the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ CHAT program, will address the needs of the downtown community, as well as those with complex issues, with referrals and outreach and advanced medical aid and follow-up intervention.
- An Information and Communications Centre will also be established to enhance connectivity among the downtown community and DCSP teams and partners, and facilitate timely, appropriate and consistent response to those in need downtown.