Calls to Red Deer’s Social Diversion Team were higher than was initially reported to city council.
Statistics presented in an RCMP report on Monday included calls made through the RCMP, but did not include calls made to the Social Diversion Team through other sources.
In February 2021 the RCMP referred 51 calls to the Social Diversion Team, and there were an additional 18 referrals that could not be transferred to the Social Diversion Team, due to capacity.
As well, the Social Diversion Team responded to an additional 72 calls that came in from other sources such as community agencies, businesses, and individuals who called the team through 2-1-1.
The team responded to 123 total calls in February.
In March the RCMP referred 76 calls to the Social Diversion Team, and there were an additional three referrals that could not be transferred to the Social Diversion Team, due to capacity.
Also, the Social Diversion Team addressed an additional 95 calls that came from other sources such as community agencies, businesses, and individuals who called the team through 2-1-1.
In total, the team responded to 171 calls in March.
The Social Diversion Team was started in January, staffed with social workers who could respond to non-emergency, non-crime situations, such as concerns about public disturbances. This frees up police time for dealing with criminal matters.