(City of Red Deer)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

Number change for Red Deer’s Social Diversion Team

Feb 27, 2024 | 12:08 PM

The City of Red Deer is shifting to more a streamlined way to contact the local Social Diversion Team (SDT).

Launched in 2021 in partnership with Safe Harbour Society, the SDT responds to calls for individuals in need of non-emergency support, be it for mental health and addictions issues, or homelessness.

Beginning March 1, residents will call the non-emergency police line, which is 403-406-2200, instead of the previous 2-1-1.

The City says this will improve the caller’s ability to quickly connect with a Police Communications Operator who can determine the nature of the call and dispatch the appropriate resources.

“This change simplifies calling and dispatching the Social Diversion Team,” said Peter Puszka, Municipal Policing Services Superintendent. “Red Deerians now need to remember only one contact number for all non-emergency community safety concerns and our experienced, well-trained Police Communications Operators can assess the circumstances of the call, determine which resource is appropriate and dispatch accordingly.”

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The City adds that this will simplify the call-in process by removing barriers like pre-recorded messaging and on-hold wait times, plus improve internal communication between the dispatchers and the responding Social Diversion Team, and allow for operators with local community knowledge to provide enhanced response.

“We are excited to continue providing individuals with the right response at the right time,” says Ryan Veldkamp, Social Wellness & Integration Supports Superintendent. “We know that not every call is an emergency call, and that’s why the Social Diversion Team is the right choice for these situations where individuals are in crisis. The team continues to allow our first responders to concentrate on responding to critical medical emergencies and criminal matters.”

In a brief comment, the SDT says it’s excited for the change and believes it will be more effective.

In three years of operation, the SDT has averaged 185 calls a month, or about six daily.

While the SDT continues to operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, the 24/7 non-emergency line will dispatch the SDT based on their availability, or utilize other policing and medical services when they are not.

To learn more about the Social Diversion Team, visit www.reddeer.ca/SDT.