New AI hotline aims to streamline homelessness response in Sarnia

Sarnia police have launched new AI-driven hotline as a proactive response to dealing with issues surrounding homelessness. CTV London’s Bryan Bicknell reports.

“It sounds like you’re calling about homelessness. Is that correct,” asked the artificial voice on the other end of the line. “Do you need a place to sleep tonight or within the next 24 hours,” it continued.

These are the types of responses one might get when calling Sarnia’s newest hotline for members of the public as municipalities come up with new ways to put artificial intelligence (AI) to work.

Sarnia police and the city’s bylaw team have joined forces to launch the new AI Hotline in Response to Homelessness.

People are encouraged to call the number (519-346-HOME (4663)) to report any issues related to homelessness.

Police Chief Derek Davis says it’s a new tool in dealing with an issue that’s become a new normal.

“If someone wants to report an encampment, or if somebody wants to report, perhaps disorder issues in a particular area,” Chief Davis explained.

The launch of the hotlines follows the dismantling of Rainbow Park, just south of downtown, where at times, more than 100 people made the public space their temporary home.

Following public pressure and a court ruling, it was taken down this past February. But the chief is quick to point out, it was not a permanent solution to the homelessness crisis.

“What we’re seeing now is a shift towards a more dispersed population, in terms of that demographic, which is another reason we’ve gone to the hotline because we need a place for people to be able to report issues,” said Davis.

Part of the goal of the new hotline is to get people out of the habit of calling 911 for every issue. That’s because, while some issues do require a police response, other matters can be handled by bylaw enforcement or other agencies, said Davis.

Some downtown businesses welcome any efforts to address the issue.

“Sometimes the people are just disturbing the people who are wandering and just came for the shopping. And on the other hand, we could help them,” said Ravinder Kaur, who operates Choice Thrift on Christina Street.

Dave Duguay, at Blackwater Coffee Co. on Christina Street, told CTV News he has never had a problem getting police to respond to an issue, but he believes the new initiative can’t hurt. “But if this makes it faster and easier for the Sarnia Police, then I don’t see it being a terrible thing,” he said.

In the meantime, resident Davin Lindfors, who says he has been homeless in the past himself, wonders if the initiative further enables those not seeking support.

“Empathy is a good thing. I have empathy to help another person out. But do they want help?” Lindfors questioned.

According to Sarnia police, the hotline is for non-urgent matters, and does not replace the need to call 911 for an emergency. The chief also makes it clear that laws will continue to be enforced.

“Being unhoused is certainly a factor, but it’s not an excuse in terms of committing criminal offences. So, we are enforcing the criminal law as appropriate, and as our citizens expect,” said Davis.