Thunder Bay City Council Advances New Incident Response Policy

The City of Thunder Bay's finance and administration standing committee has endorsed a new incident response policy aimed at addressing disorderly behavior in public spaces. The policy will guide the city's mobile safety and security response team, which will operate at transit terminals, on buses, and in public facilities. It allows staff to issue trespass notices for incidents involving assault, vandalism, or substance use, emphasizing de-escalation and voluntary compliance. The policy is part of a pilot project approved in the 2026 budget, with the response team scheduled to operate from 8:30 a.m. to midnight. The draft policy aims to provide transparent guidelines for authorized personnel, including city management and law enforcement. Additionally, the city plans to repeal an outdated bylaw from the 1980s that regulated public behavior, as it is no longer relevant.

Key Points: • Thunder Bay's new incident response policy aims to improve public safety management. • The policy allows for issuing trespass notices as a last resort in safety incidents. • The mobile safety and security response team will operate from 8:30 a.m. to midnight.