A new downtown foot patrol program in Thunder Bay, Ontario, has logged more than 4,100 community interactions since launching in April, offering a first point of contact focused on social service referrals rather than enforcement. The Project Support initiative, run by the Thunder Bay Police Service, pairs officers with Social Navigators to walk the north and south downtown cores, connecting people with addiction treatment, mental health services, and housing supports.
Since the patrols began on April 20, 2026, the teams have made 199 referrals to social services, made 39 arrests, and issued 25 provincial offence notices, according to police data. The program initially ran as a 60-day pilot but was extended to September 1, 2026, after community and business feedback. Patrols focus on Red River Road, Cumberland Street, Court Street, Algoma Street, May Street, and the Victoriaville area.
The early numbers show that nearly half of the referrals made in the first 40 days were accepted by the individuals being helped, a rate police consider a success. “We realize we’re not gonna get 100 per cent of people that wanna get help but we’re close to 50 per cent. One person to me is a win,” said Insp. Jason Rybak, operational support inspector with Project Support. The program was launched after years of rising public safety concerns downtown, where business owners and residents have raised alarms about open drug use, disorderly behaviour, vandalism, and trespassing.
Thunder Bay has faced stark challenges, including the highest opioid-related death rate in Ontario at 52.72 per 100,000 people—more than five times the provincial average. A February 2026 survey found 51 per cent of residents feel safe, down from 55 per cent in 2024, with 87 per cent pointing to disorderly behaviour and drug use as leading concerns. The city also recorded the highest homicide rate among Canadian census metropolitan areas in 2024.
Chief Darcy Fleury, who was sworn in as chief on May 15, 2023, has made community engagement and enforcement key priorities. “Each patrol team is paired with a Social Navigator or Community Integration Team Coordinator, ensuring service engagement is the first point of contact,” said a police statement. Olivia Gater, the Community Outreach Social Navigation Coordinator for the police service, noted the program aims to address root causes by connecting individuals to appropriate services.
The extension to September 1 will be followed by a formal evaluation, which could decide whether the initiative becomes permanent. The Thunder Bay Police Services Board approved the extension, saying it aligns with community needs.
