A new partnership has been launched to help young people in crisis, thanks to a grant from Queens Park.
Windsor police have teamed up with Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare to form the Windsor Youth Crisis Response Team (YCRT), which focuses on children and young adults experiencing mental health issues.
Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie announced a $240,000 provincial grant for the initiative during an event Friday at Windsor police headquarters.
"Growing up as a teenager, looking for your path in the world, you wonder, 'Am I normal? Am I going to accomplish something someday?' You have that extensive uncertainty as a young person about where you fit. And, sometimes that leads to a reaction that may not be truly fitting," said Dowie.
Police Chief Jason Crowley said officers will work with a dedicated youth social worker from HDGH's Regional Children's Centre when responding to a mental health-related issue involving someone under 16 years of age.
Crowley pointed out a sharp increase in youth-related incidents reported in Windsor and Amherstburg between 2023 and 2024.
"Criminal Code occurrences resulting in one or more youth being charged increased by 43 per cent," said Crowley. "During the same period, incidents involving young offenders rose by 51 per cent, while calls involving a youth in crisis increased by 29 per cent."
The provincial grant is for a two-year period, and it will support staffing, training, and program implementation.
Crowley also announced an additional $25,000 in funding to support mental health resources for Windsor police officers.
