The Windsor Police Service is looking to community partners to address intimate partner violence proactively.
Windsor Police Chief Jason Bellaire indicated instances of intimate partner violence are the primary driver behind violent crimes in the city.
"We are looking at, hopefully in the near future, piloting more intervention strategies. It would be more in real-time with subject matter experts with the officers working with us in the streets," said Bellaire.
He said there have been discussions with multiple community partners who have expressed interest in participating in a pilot project with Windsor police.
"We want to take advantage of the fact that we are there and bring those subject matter experts in there that are not police," said Bellaire.
The Windsor Police Service also recently partnered with Family Services Windsor-Essex to prevent repeat incidents of intimate partner violence. Through the partnership, victims will be referred for counselling, safety planning, and other programs.
The Windsor and LaSalle Police Offender Management Unit, which keeps track of offenders on release orders, also assists with initiatives to reduce IPV.
"We've actually made multiple arrests of people violating their bail conditions who are out on bail for those particular offences," said Bellaire.
The City of Windsor declared intimate partner violence an epidemic in July 2023. The provincial government followed suit in April 2024.
