Windsor police say a program with Windsor Regional Hospital is still having an impact in the downtown area.
An update on the Nurse Police Team (NPT) was provided on social media on Thursday, and it showed continued success in diverting the vulnerable to the proper resources and reducing the strain on hospitals.
The NPT, which began as a pilot project in May 2023, features Windsor police officers being paired with WRH nurses, patrolling the downtown area and providing on-the-spot care for those needing help.
During the first eight months of 2024, there were 1,541 calls for service. Of them, 114 were treated for substance-related injuries, 360 were referred to community agencies, and 527 people were looked after in a manner that made an emergency room visit unnecessary.
"The initiative steers individuals away from the criminal justice system and reduces the strain on our already overcrowded hospital emergency departments," read a tweet from Windsor police.
The NPT program is part of the City of Windsor's ongoing Safe Streets Initiative, a component of the Strengthen the Core downtown revitalization plan.
