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The Kenora OPP is hoping the new Youth Justice Center will help reduce the amount of crime in the community.
Inspector Jeff Duggan says the Center has a number of services all in one place, and that will help.
“Anybody that’s charged, within a certain age, is going to come to Community Justice Center,” Duggan says after the official opening of the Justice Center on Main Street.
“But it allows for an alternative to any type of custodial sentence. It really brings the community together…brings community partners together.”
Duggan adds they will be able to post some of their officers there to increase the police presence in downtown Kenora.
“The back here (the Youth Justice Center) has enough space for four officers to work out of. It will give us a downtown presence again. Our officers will be down here, run their foot patrols from here, and run their bike patrols from here.”
He adds that the biggest key is housing.
“Now with the housing going up…with the different builds that are going on, we’re going to make some headway. I really believe you have to provide housing so people can rest their heads.”
The Youth Justice Center will not only provide justice services but mental health supports, social services, as well as housing assistance.