(File photo)

Lyonel Doherty 

Aberdeen Publishing

Members of the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Committee in Oliver can’t wait for the new “hub table” to start helping vulnerable people in crises.

That was the sentiment on Feb. 17 after the committee heard a presentation by Debbie Scarborough, co-chair of Penticton’s Community Action Support Table (CAST).

Scarborough said these intervention tables offer an amazing opportunity to be proactive in helping people at acutely elevated risk. In fact, there are more than 20 agencies involved with CAST to provide immediate intervention to people suffering from drug addiction, homelessness and mental health problems.

Scarborough said they have had “tremendous success” reaching out to these people in danger of harming themselves or others.

She noted that their bylaw partner at the table reported a situation where a cognitively impaired young man was assaulted and had his boots taken. He was then observed walking around the community with plastic bags on his feet, which prompted some intervention on his behalf.

Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff asked if there were any downsides to CAST.

Scarborough said the only issue they have to be careful with is breaching confidentiality during the discussions.

“We try to keep the information as generic as possible out of respect for the individual.”

Scarborough was asked to give examples of people at acutely elevated risk. She said a homeless person who has been coping for three years is not at elevated risk. But if this person started committing crimes or was observed walking down the street talking to himself, then some intervention would be necessary.

Another example is an elderly mother who becomes scared or threatened when her son brings his criminal friends and drugs into the home.

Scarborough noted that CAST would intervene in cases likes this within 24 or 48 hours.

As far as establishing a similar table in Oliver, that would not be difficult, she stated. In fact, she said Oliver is big enough to support its own table since it has vulnerable people in high risk situations too.

Scarborough said clients can refuse and decline an offer of help since the program is voluntary. She noted that not many people decline. And depending on the situation, CAST will initiate intervention. For example, the mother who doesn’t want to get her son in trouble; CAST will intervene by talking to the son about the situation.

Scarborough said a lot of cases are initiated simply by having “eyes to the ground” and observing what’s happening to people in the community.

She noted they even have people working with the Okanagan Correctional Centre to ensure inmates are not being released into homelessness.

Scarborough said the table also watches out for the well-being of school children. If a child is truant or coming to school hungry or filthy, an intervention might involve visiting the home in a supportive, non-punitive manner.

She noted the last thing they want to do is remove the child from the home.

At the end of Scarborough’s presentation, the committee made a recommendation to Oliver town council to access government funding to establish a hub table in the South Okanagan.

Oliver Mayor Martin Johansen said the table has the potential to make a big difference in the community.