Peterborough’s Chief of Police Stuart Betts announced a change in their official stance on policing drug-use in public spaces to "no tolerance."

“Effective today, we are launching our Safer Public Spaces approach, which is a no-tolerance approach to open-air illicit drug-use,” says Betts.

“It means members of this community can expect police officers will not tolerate people injecting, and smoking up, in front of public places; places where our community members should feel safe,” Betts added.

Betts partially attributed the change in policy to recent community responses to their Community Safety & Wellness plan, in which only 48 per cent of community responses identified feeling “safe” or “very safe” in Peterborough. The chief of police believes that open-air illicit drug-use in Peterborough is contributing to this perceived lack of public safety.

This plan will include an increase in responses to community reports about public drug-use. Betts added that there will be additional accountability on the Peterborough Police to respond to phoned-in reports quickly.

“It also means that our officers are empowered, as they are patrolling our streets, […] to stop and tell people, if they are engaged in that behavior, they need to move along. This is no longer tolerable on our streets.”

“If they do not comply with that, the public needs to be aware, our officers have been told that possession of those drugs is still illegal. People will be arrested, they will be searched, and those drugs will be seized.”

Betts followed by ensuring that the intent of this announcement is not to “criminalize anybody who has an addiction.”

“Our intent is to ensure they are provided with the resources and direction they need about where to go to safely consume these substances,” says Betts.

Betts says that Peterborough Police officers will now carry pamphlets containing information about 24-hour addiction services, and where people can find help. Officers will offer these pamphlets to anyone who is found consuming illicit drugs in public spaces.

Peterborough Police will be the first community in Ontario, and second in Canada, to adopt a ‘zero-tolerance’ stance to promote public safety. Betts says that Edmonton, AB implemented a similar policy at the beginning of September 2023.

Listen to the story below: