Four TBPS Special Constables will patrol high-volume buildings, build tenant relationships, and provide tailored enforcement under a data-driven pilot

By NetNewsLedger Staff

Thunder Bay — The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) and the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) have launched a community-focused Housing Safety Unit (HSU) pilot aimed at improving safety and quality of life in TBDSSAB-owned housing communities.

“The HSU is a prime example of community and police collaborating to create safer spaces through proactive, community-based presence,” said TBPS Chief Darcy Fleury. “It’s about building trust, maintaining order, and ultimately supporting residents in feeling safe in their homes.”

What the Pilot Does

Under the pilot, four TBPS Special Constables will provide a visible, proactive presence primarily at three high-volume TBDSSAB buildings while also engaging tenants at other direct-owned properties. Their work will include:

• Routine foot patrols and rapid incident response

• Tenant engagement and problem-solving

• Referrals to community and social supports

“These constables are equipped to enforce laws under the Criminal Code, Trespass to Property Act, Liquor Licence and Control Act, Mental Health Act (in limited roles), and relevant municipal bylaws and housing rules,” said TBPS Inspector of Operational Support, Jason Rybak.

Who Are Special Constables?

Appointed under Ontario’s Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA), Special Constables are law-enforcement officers with limited police powers within a defined jurisdiction. In the HSU model, they combine enforcement with relationship-building and early intervention to address issues before they escalate.

Krystal Wiwcharyk, one of the new Special Constables, emphasized the approach: “I know how important it is for people to feel safe, heard, and connected. It’s about more than enforcing the law; it’s about understanding the challenges people face and helping them find solutions in a compassionate, respectful way.”

Built on an Existing Support Model

Since 2017, TBDSSAB Tenant Support Workers (TSWs) have worked within the Housing Services Act and Residential Tenancies Act to support tenants through relationship-building, community programming, and referrals. TSWs have developed strong ties with TBPS’s Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE) unit, whose officers provide tenant education and safety advice as needed. The HSU is designed to complement this framework with dedicated, on-site safety capacity.

Residents in many of the TBDSSAB housing projects have had serious concerns with safety for a long time. It is hoped that this new partnership with the Thunder Bay Police Service will improve safety in the units for the residents.

What Residents Can Expect

The HSU aims to:

• Enhance resident safety

• Reduce criminal and social disorder

• Build trust through consistent, community-based engagement

• Provide enforcement tailored to the unique needs of housing communities

A similar initiative in Toronto has been credited by officials with reducing emergency calls, improving perceptions of safety, and strengthening tenant relationships with enforcement personnel. Local partners expect comparable outcomes in Thunder Bay, with lower costs than traditional police deployment and more authority and training than private security. Data gathered during the pilot will guide any expansion or adjustments.

Why It Matters Now

With increasing demand on police resources and growing complexity in housing-related calls, the TBDSSAB–TBPS partnership introduces a focused, cost-conscious model for safety. “Our housing communities deserve safe, supportive environments,” said Ken Ranta, CEO of TBDSSAB. “This partnership allows us to bring a new level of dedicated, community-specific safety to those who need it most.”