Police Media & Alerts

Emergency Treatment Fund – Town of New Glasgow/New Glasgow Police – Community Crisis Outreach Worker

Details
Published: Thursday, 14 May 2026 19:10

Town of New Glasgow Secures Federal Funding to Launch Community Crisis Outreach Worker Program

May 14, 2026

New Glasgow, Nova Scotia

News Release

May 14, 2026 — New Glasgow, NS — May 14, 2026 — The Town of New Glasgow is pleased to announce that it has successfully secured funding through Health Canada’s Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF) to develop and implement a Community Crisis Outreach Worker (CCOW) program through the New Glasgow Police.

The Emergency Treatment Fund is a federal initiative designed to support municipalities and communities in responding to urgent and emerging needs related to the ongoing substance use, overdose, and mental health crisis across Canada. The program supports innovative, community-based approaches that increase access to care, improve service coordination, and strengthen local capacity to respond to individuals in crisis.

Through this funding, the Town will embed an accredited civilian social worker within the New Glasgow Police service as part of an enhanced Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model. The CCOW will provide mobile, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction-based support to individuals and families experiencing mental health challenges, substance use concerns, drug toxicity risk, and other complex social issues.

Central Nova MP, Sean Fraser stated that “communities across Pictou County are facing real challenges related to mental health, addiction, homelessness, and public safety. This investment will help strengthen the frontline response by ensuring people experiencing crisis are connected to the care and support they need, when they need it most. By embedding a clinical social worker directly alongside police officers, this project will help reduce repeat emergency calls, improve community safety, and support better long-term outcomes for vulnerable individuals and families. Our government is proud to support innovative local partnerships that bring health, housing, and public safety agencies together to build safer and healthier communities.”

“This is an important step forward for our community,” said Chief of Police Ryan Leil. “We know that individuals facing mental health and addictions challenges often come into contact with police more frequently, not because they are criminals, but because they are in need of support. This program allows us to respond differently, with enhanced care, coordination, and a stronger connection to the services people need.”

The Community Crisis Outreach Worker will:

• Provide support in the community in coordination with police once situations are safe and appropriate for engagement

• Be available to frontline officers for consultation, guidance, risk assessment support, and education

• Conduct mental health, substance use, and risk-informed assessments

• Provide crisis stabilization and collaborative safety planning

• Deliver structured follow-up and short-term case coordination

• Connect individuals to treatment, recovery services, housing supports, and community resources

This initiative builds on New Glasgow’s existing Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model, a formalized and ongoing co-response partnership between police and Nova Scotia Health, Mental Health and Addictions, in place since 2021.

The addition of a dedicated clinician embedded within the police service will strengthen the existing model by improving continuity of care, enhancing follow-up, and supporting more effective navigation of health and social services.

“This investment reflects our commitment to a safer, healthier, and more compassionate community,” said Mayor Nancy Dicks. “By strengthening collaboration between police, health professionals, and community partners, we are ensuring that individuals facing complex challenges are met with the right supports at the right time. This program builds on the strong foundation we already have in place and represents a meaningful step forward in how we respond to community needs.”

Programs like this have been successfully implemented in communities across Canada and have demonstrated measurable benefits, including reduced repeat crisis calls, improved access to care, decreased reliance on emergency departments, and better outcomes for individuals experiencing crisis.

The Community Crisis Outreach Worker program will launch later this month and will operate as a pilot initiative, allowing the Town and its partners to evaluate effectiveness, refine the model, and determine the best approach for long-term sustainability.

For more information, please contact:

Ryan F. Leil
Chief of Police
New Glasgow Police
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Media Contact:
Cst. Ken MacDonald – Public Information Officer
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Police Advisory March 27, 2026

Details
Published: Friday, 27 March 2026 16:39

Police Advisory 

March 27, 2026

New Glasgow, Nova Scotia

New Glasgow Regional Police have received reports that a local volunteer group has been encouraging residents and downtown businesses to report suspicious activity or individuals requiring assistance directly to their volunteer organization instead of contacting police.

The safety of our community remains our top priority. Any activity that may pose a risk to a person’s safety, the safety of others, or involves suspicious or concerning behavior should always be reported to New Glasgow Regional Police at 902-752-1941. In the case of an emergency, residents should always call 911.

Volunteer and community support groups play an important role in helping those in need; however, situations involving suspicious activity, safety concerns, or potential harm must be reported directly to police so trained emergency responders can assess and respond appropriately.

Reporting directly to police is also essential to maintaining an accurate and real-time understanding of issues impacting community safety. When incidents are reported through the proper channels, it allows police to collect reliable data, identify trends, and conduct meaningful crime analysis. This information is critical in developing effective crime prevention strategies, ensuring appropriate resource deployment, and prioritizing police response based on actual community needs. Indirect or delayed reporting can result in gaps in information, reduced situational awareness, and missed opportunities to intervene early and prevent harm.

We encourage residents and businesses to continue looking out for one another and to use the proper reporting channels to ensure timely and effective response.

Emergency: 911

New Glasgow Regional Police (non-emergency): 902-752-1941

New Glasgow Regional Police arrest a man for assault and damage to property at a New Glasgow Shelter

Details
Published: Thursday, 20 November 2025 10:25

News Release
November 19, 2025

New Glasgow Regional Police has charged a man with offences of assault and damage to property following an incident at a New Glasgow shelter. 

On November 18, at approximately 9:20 p.m., New Glasgow Regional Police officers responded to a report of a man outside the New Glasgow shelter who was acting disruptive and threatening to light a garbage can on fire.

Upon arrival, officers observed a garage can actively burning in the shelter’s parking lot. An adult man was arrested on scene and an additional responding officer safely extinguished the fire.

Further investigation by officers revealed that the man assaulted a staff shelter member prior to setting the fire.

As a result, a 64-year-old male was arrested and charged with damage to property and assault. The man was released on an undertaking with conditions and will be appearing in Nova Scotia Provincial Court in Pictou on January 16th, 2026.

New Glasgow Regional Police continue to investigate.

New Glasgow Regional Police is asking for public assistance to locate a missing 28-year-old female, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.

Details
Published: Wednesday, 05 November 2025 08:21

November 4, 2025

News Release. Photo of enclosed missing – Ashley Borden

The New Glasgow Regional Police is seeking the public's assistance in locating  28-year-old female from Pictou County. Ashley Borden who was last seen on Monday morning on November 3, 2025 in the New Glasgow, N.S area.

There is no information to suggest that she has met with foul play, however, New Glasgow Regional Police is concerned for her well-being and want to ensure she is safe.

Police are asking anyone with information about this incident is asked to call New Glasgow Regional Police at 902-752-1941. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or by using the P3 Tips app. 

Photo of enclosed missing -Ashley Borden

New Glasgow Regional Police request public’s help in identifying suspect(s) responsible for stolen debit card

Details
Published: Thursday, 30 October 2025 09:41

October 29, 2025

New Glasgow, Nova Scotia

News Release

New Glasgow Regional Police is asking the public's assistance to identify two persons who were responsible for the use of a stolen debit card used to withdraw an undisclosed amount of money from several locations in New Glasgow, Trenton and Port Hawkesbury.  

Preliminary investigation has released three photos of the suspect(s) involved.

Anyone with information about these individuals is asked to contact New Glasgow Regional Police at 902-752-1941. Should you wish to remain anonymous call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

Photos (3) of suspects enclosed.