London, Ont. police seeking public input on next Strategic Plan development

London, Ont., police are encouraging the public to be part of the business planning process for the development of the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan.

London police create a new plan every three years, collecting the input from residents in the hopes of addressing their biggest concerns.

Londoners have the opportunity to attend any of the three upcoming online virtual community consultations where police are seeking input on crime prevention, law enforcement, victims’ assistance, public order maintenance and emergency response.

Const. Jennifer Noel said the London Police Service wants to know what is important to Londoners and what they want the police to focus on for the next five years.

“We’re going to be using three questions to guide our conversation,” she said. The three questions are:

• What do you think is the single most important crime related or public safety problem facing the community?
• How can the London Police Service use strategic and collaborative partnerships to respond to the changing needs of our community?
• Thinking ahead over the next five years, what should the London police focus on?

Chief Steve Williams will be present at all virtual sessions, along with deputy chiefs Stu Betts and Trish McIntyre and members of the London Police Service Board (LPSB).

The virtual sessions are as follows:

• Wednesday, Oct. 19 (1 p.m. to 3 p.m.)
• Thursday, Nov. 3 (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
• Thursday, Nov. 24 (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

Additionally, Noel said that invitations were sent to over 300 community groups to “ensure representation.”

She added that the goal of these sessions is to make sure that every person in London has the opportunity to provide feedback if interested.

“This is your community, and we don’t know what goes on necessarily in your specific neighborhood. We want to hear from you,” Noel said. “This is your opportunity to tell us what is important to you and what you think police should be focusing on because we’re here to serve you.”

If you are unable to attend any of the sessions but still wish to share your thoughts and ideas, police are accepting written feedback until Nov. 30.