Update: expansion to Car 60 program to be considered by council on July 27

Prince George City Council will be considering a proposed expansion to the RCMP Car 60 program at its next meeting.

A notice of motion was tabled tonight (Monday) by councilor Kyle Sampson for July 27.

It pairs plainclothes police officers with mental health and addiction support nurses, who respond to calls and provide mental health intervention.

The city will be working alongside the Prince George RCMP and Northern Health.

Original:

Prince George city councilor Kyle Sampson will propose an expansion to the RCMP’s Car 60 program at tonight’s (Monday) meeting.

“What we have right now is a program that is operating very well, and very successfully, but with limitations,” Sampson explained.

“There are only so many mental health nurses available to work with this program, and there are only so many officers trained to work with those nurses,” he added.

From 2015 to 2019, The City of Prince George saw a 120% increase in the number of mental-health related calls.

Northern Health reported Car 60’s use has remained consistent, despite the increase.

I have submitted a Notice of Motion which would see City Council direct @CityofPG Administration to work with the @PG_RCMP and @Northern_Health to bring recommendations forward on how to expand the #Car60 program which focuses on mental health, addiction, and public safety. pic.twitter.com/kiHvhdePkj

— Kyle Sampson (@SampsonKyle) July 8, 2020

– with files from Justin Madu and Catherine Garrett MyPGNow.com staff