By Cheryl Jahn

Car 60

Car 60 could expand

Jul 28, 2020 | 4:22 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A program that has seen much success since it was rolled out five years ago may be expanding.

The Car 60 program pairs a police officer with a mental health professional to attend calls that have a mental health element to them. Since it was put in place, the program has seen an increase of well over 100% in calls, prompting Councillor Kyle Samspn to set in motion the idea of expanding it.

“I think this is extremely important,” noted Councillor Kyle Sampson, author of the motion. “The numbers speak for themselves. We’ve seen over the years over a hundred percent, I believe it’s a 120 percent, increase in calls.” And he adds, the burden of dealing with mental health issues should not be borne by the RCMP.

And Council agreed.

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“I certainly will be supporting this motion,” stated Councillor Murry Krause. “Obviously we need more mental health services in the community and this is just one.”

“I have long been an advocate for this program,” said Councillor Susan Scott.

However, it was also noted that the program cannot be laid solely at the feet of the municipality and that Northern Health will have to “step up to the plate.”

That’s why the third thread to the Motion was to send it to Council’s Intergovernmental Resolutions Committee to find ways of securing further aid from hight levels of government to additional mental health supports.