Amended bylaw allows CSOs to use discretion when responding to calls for public intoxication

Changes to the Panhandling & Public Behaviours Bylaw No. 2179 were approved by City Council during Monday night’s Regular Council Meeting. Under the original provisions of the bylaw, if Community Safety Officers [CSOs] responded to a call for service involving a person who was intoxicated in public, the officers were required to either call the RCMP to have members transport the intoxicated individual to cells in the detachment, or for CSOs to transport the intoxicated individual to cells so they could be held until sober as per the Alcohol & Gaming Regulations Act.

The changes passed by Council on Monday allow for a more compassionate approach by Community Safety Officers if the circumstances surrounding the response to the call do not reach a threshold of incarceration for an individual struggling with substance use disorder. 

”The Panhandling & Public Behaviours Bylaw now allows our Community Safety Officers to assess an individual who may be under the influence of a substance and who may also be causing a disturbance in a public place,” commented the City’s Director of Protective Services, Chief Lindsay Holm. “The CSOs are trained to conduct sobriety assessments regularly while enforcing other provincial statutes and now they can apply that knowledge and experience to assess an individual’s level of intoxication and transport them to a safe, alternative location, other than a jail cell, if their assessments deem it safe to do so.”

Councillor Bill Ironstand applauded the proposed changes to the bylaw during the meeting, calling it a “less heavy-handed approach when dealing with people battling addiction”. 

Battlefords RCMP Inspector Ryan How offered support for the bylaw amendment during Monday’s Meeting. “The RCMP recognize that many people suffering from addictions and/or mental health issues need compassionate support and care rather than incarceration,” commented Inspector How. “If there is an option to release someone arrested for a non-violent disturbance to a safe location, the RCMP routinely consider this course of action. Of course, any threat of self-harm, violence, or continued disturbance will result in a period of custody and or charges.”

The amended Panhandling & Public Behaviours Bylaw will take effect in the city immediately.   

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For more information:
Candace Toma, Public & Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator
306-441-0713 | publicrelations@cityofnb.ca