Thunder Bay residents and business owners will continue to see police foot patrols paired with social workers in the downtown cores after the Thunder Bay Police Service extended Project Support until September 1, 2026. The initiative, which began as a 60-day pilot on April 20, blends a visible police presence with social navigators who connect people struggling with addiction, mental health issues, or homelessness to services before considering enforcement.
According to the Thunder Bay Police Service, the patrols cover Red River Road, Cumberland Street, Court Street, Algoma Street, May Street, and the Victoriaville area. Officers and social outreach workers focus on transit stops, storefronts, public plazas, and parking lots where businesses and residents have raised concerns about drug use, disorder, and vandalism.
Since the pilot launched, teams recorded 1,485 community contacts and made 113 referrals to housing, addiction treatment, and mental health supports. Nearly half of those referred connected with services, with 53 referrals accepted. Arrests and warrants remain a last resort, used only when disruptive behaviour continues despite repeated service engagement attempts; 25 warrants have been executed during the patrols.
Operational Support Inspector Jason Rybak, who oversees the effort, said the community response has been strong. “They were excited to see us back in the cores and the overwhelming message was ‘please don’t stop,'” he said. The Waterfront District BIA and local drop-in services like Grace Place have backed the approach, saying the mix of help and safety measures addresses the root problems more effectively.
The extension arrives as Thunder Bay grapples with the highest opioid-related death rate in Ontario, more than five times the provincial average, and a homelessness crisis the city formally recognized in February 2026. The Project Support model is part of a broader push to make downtown safer while connecting vulnerable residents to long-term help.
