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Mat program making a difference

RCMP attribute falling mischief numbers to the opening of the mat program
20210108 Mat Program outside building_HS_WEB
The Athabasca Native Friendship Centre's mat program has been offering a place to sleep, for those without, since Jan. 6.

ATHABASCA - A little over a month since the Athabasca Native Friendship Centre welcomed its first client into its humble mat program in the old Jim’s Tire Shop, as an emergency shelter for those without a safe place to sleep, things are going well, and the community is noticing the difference. 

Athabasca RCMP Staff Sgt. Paul Gilligan went into some detail about crime statistics at town council’s Feb. 2 meeting as he presented his annual report for 2020, but he also took the opportunity to praise the opening of the mat program, and explained how it is affecting the number of calls RCMP are getting. 

“It is making a big difference,” he told councillors. “It has made a big difference on our mischief calls early in the morning.” 

Mischief charges fell from 222 in 2019, to 157 in 2020 in the Athabasca detachment area, he reported. 

“I expect that number to drop probably another 50, at least, with the introduction of the mat program. We're not getting nearly the complaints we were from the banks and people hanging out in the vestibules there. So, I look at that as having a very positive impact on our job anyway,” said Gilligan. 

He gave an example of one individual who generated 13 calls for service in the three days just before the meeting. One of the corporals then spent the whole day compiling a list of all the calls for service in the last four or five months, which probably amount to hundreds, all for the same person, all regarding minor criminal offences.  

In an interview after the council meeting, Gilligan elaborated more on this individual, who is a frequent client of the mat program, with additional issues with addictions and mental health. 

He listed off numerous shoplifting and trespassing complaints. Many times, RCMP are called when the individual refuses to leave a store or restaurant. They have been found unlawfully in someone else’s house. He could have kept going and going. 

“We're doing our darndest to find some social agency or get them committed under the Mental Health Act or something to deal with that situation. One person can be very taxing on the detachment,” he said. 

Athabasca Native Friendship Centre (ANFC) director Laureen Houle was glad to hear about Gilligan’s early assessment. 

“I think it's great, it's nice to know that their job is a little easier and they can concentrate on different aspects of the problems in the community. We can make sure that people are warm at night if they choose to utilize the program,” she said in a Feb. 11 interview. 

The five-bed mat program opened Jan. 6, after Houle was able to nail down a place to set up and work out the insurance details. She said they average about three clients a night 

Since then, the community has been great, coming forward to offer donations and services, but Houle reminds everyone, it is a very minimalist shelter, and they already have much of everything they need. It is just a place to grab a bite, rest your head and be on your way the next morning. Whether the opportunity to grow presents itself remains to be seen. 

“The community has been so supportive. Every day there is someone calling and asking how they can help,” said Houle, adding that snacks, cups of noodles, hand warmers and gloves in particular are always in high demand. 

“I just want to honestly really thank everybody for their support. The positive feedback has been great.” 

 

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