Part 2: Perspectives on Community Safety, Policing, and Prevention Priorities — 06/18/2026

While much of the June 18, 2026 OPP Detachment Board meeting focused on presentations and updates, several discussions revealed where board members, police leadership, and community organizations stand on some of the County's ongoing safety concerns.

One of the most important conversations centered on the future of the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. Kurstin Salisbury, Senior Manager at Loyalist College's Centre for Healthy Communities, explained that the next version of the plan is being built around extensive public consultation and collaboration among dozens of local organizations. Salisbury emphasized that police should be partners in community safety efforts, but not the sole leaders. She repeatedly highlighted the importance of municipalities, social services, health agencies, businesses, and residents working together to address root causes before problems escalate into emergencies.

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Anne VanVlack of Vital Signs reinforced that message by pointing to successful collaborative projects already happening in the County. She highlighted youth mental health fairs, resource directories, and fraud awareness campaigns as examples of community groups working together to address issues before they become policing matters. Both presenters made it clear that ongoing coordination is essential if the County wants these efforts to continue producing results.

The discussion shifted briefly when board member Sarah Williams raised a question about overnight mental health supports. Williams referenced concerns that would be discussed later in the meeting and asked whether communities elsewhere were exploring after-hours mental health services. Salisbury responded that mental health remains one of the plan's core pillars, but future solutions will depend on what local organizations can realistically deliver and what falls within provincial jurisdiction.

Another major presentation came from Constable Lori Josephson, who oversees marine operations for Prince Edward OPP. Josephson outlined the detachment's focus on boating safety, impaired operation enforcement, and education across local waterways. Throughout her presentation, Josephson stressed that life jackets remain the single most important piece of safety equipment and that alcohol enforcement on the water receives the same level of attention as impaired driving on roads.

Board member Robert Quaiff questioned Josephson about the province's new rules allowing alcohol consumption on certain beaches and whether that could create increased risks for boat operators. Josephson acknowledged the concern and confirmed officers are paying particular attention to areas such as West Lake and Wellington, where rental boats and seasonal visitors create unique challenges. She noted that many renters may have limited boating experience, making education and enforcement equally important.

The board also heard from Vicki McDonald and Kerry Cole of St. Leonard's Hastings Prince Edward regarding the Youth Reach Consent and Boundaries Program. McDonald explained how the program teaches Grade 7 and 8 students about consent, healthy relationships, abuse prevention, and online safety. She reported that more than 250 local students have already participated and that schools have responded very positively.

During discussion, Chair Casey Hill asked questions about how consent education is being delivered and whether students are being taught about concepts such as implied consent and changing consent. McDonald explained that the program uses the FRIES model, which emphasizes that consent must be freely given, reversible, informed, enthusiastic, and specific. Hill also suggested that future updates could include education surrounding coercive control, a topic gaining increasing attention in both criminal and civil law.

When the funding request was formally introduced, the board quickly reached consensus. Sarah Williams moved the motion to provide $5,000 from the board's operating budget to support the program, Robert Quaiff seconded it, and the motion passed unanimously. The decision ensures the program can continue delivering prevention-focused education in local schools.

A separate discussion arose from correspondence submitted by local resident Jamie Kelly regarding mental health concerns and disruptive behaviour occurring in the community. Although Kelly was unable to attend the meeting, Chair Hill addressed the concerns directly. Hill acknowledged the challenges police face when responding to incidents involving mental illness and pointed out that criminal charges are not always the most effective long-term solution.

Responding to the issue, Staff Sergeant Jeffrey MacKinnon explained that Prince Edward OPP currently works with two IMPACT workers who assist with mental health and social service referrals. MacKinnon noted that those supports currently operate until 10 p.m., after which police officers are often left managing difficult situations on their own. He described how officers frequently attempt to connect individuals with hospitals or support services, while recognizing the limitations of the current system.

Later in the meeting, Hill provided updates on several provincial developments affecting policing and public safety. He discussed proposed and recently adopted legislation dealing with intimate partner violence, coercive control, bail reform, and repeat offenders. Hill also announced plans for additional courtroom and testimony training for local officers, supported by Crown attorneys and police leadership.

McKinnon's operational report offered a snapshot of local policing trends. He reported decreases in overall collisions, violent crime, and property crime compared to previous reporting periods. At the same time, he noted that distracted driving continues to rise and remains a significant concern. To address that trend, the detachment has introduced a summer traffic enforcement strategy that includes increased patrols, mandatory alcohol screening initiatives, and focused enforcement around distracted driving.

What This Means for Locals

For Prince Edward County residents, the meeting highlighted a growing focus on prevention rather than reaction. Whether discussing youth education, mental health services, fraud awareness, housing challenges, or community safety planning, speakers repeatedly emphasized solving problems before they require emergency intervention.

The continued funding for Youth Reach means more local students will receive education about healthy relationships and consent. The updated Community Safety and Well-Being Plan could also shape future priorities around transportation, affordability, mental health, and social connection throughout the County.

For boaters and summer visitors, the message from OPP was straightforward: expect visible marine patrols, continued safety inspections, and strict enforcement around impaired operation. Meanwhile, local drivers can expect increased traffic enforcement throughout the summer months as police focus on distracted driving and impaired driving concerns.

Perhaps most importantly, the discussion around mental health support demonstrated that local leaders recognize gaps still exist in after-hours services. While no immediate solutions were approved, the issue is now clearly part of broader conversations about community safety and well-being in Prince Edward County.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 1:19:27. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.