Edmonton city council renewing transit community outreach program

Edmonton city council is renewing a program that sees social workers, team up with peace officers, to patrol Edmonton transit.

They will be connecting the vulnerable with social services like mental health and addiction supports or housing.

The community outreach team is a pilot program run through Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, with the commitment for funding over the next three years, to a maximum of $2.1 million.

READ MORE: Edmonton Transit crime increased in 2022: police report

Last week, Edmonton police expressed their support for the program, while stressing outreach teams deal with those who are vulnerable and seeking shelter on transit.

This will leave the police to tackle those engaging in criminal activity, as numbers show a rise in violent crimes on transit in the last year.