The city must support targeted enforcement against traffickers, repeat offenders, open-air drug disorder, theft and vandalism while supporting real recovery pathways for people who want out.
Police, healthcare providers, shelters, businesses and neighbourhoods are all absorbing the downstream cost of the drug economy. That cost must be pushed upstream toward the people profiting from it.
Enforcement and recovery are not competing ideas. A city can distinguish between people trapped in addiction who need a credible exit and people who profit from keeping neighbourhoods trapped in disorder.
The Police Services Board sets policing priorities, while operational decisions remain with the Chief of Police. Through its appointments, budget decisions and public advocacy, Council should press for clear annual priorities around drug trafficking, repeat offending, property crime and persistent public disorder, followed by public reporting on whether those conditions are actually improving.
North Bay’s 2026 police contribution is $32,386,031, an increase of $2.28 million or 7.58 percent. At that level of public investment, residents deserve more than reassurance that enforcement is occurring. They deserve to know whether neighbourhood disorder, repeat victimization and the criminal economy driving much of it are actually being reduced.
Recovery for the person who wants out. Consequences for the person making money keeping them there.