RESIDENTS ASKED OPINION ON SWITCHING POLICE SERVICE

Afternoon meeting Nov. 5 at Town Hall

Updated 1 month ago

The municipality should switch from a municipal police force to the Ontario Provincial Police, according to a recommendation by Cheryl Horrobin, director of finance and business service.

But members of Leamington council would like to hear what residents have to say about the policing issue.

So residents will have a chance to have their say, as well as have their questions answered at two open houses on Nov. 5 – one at 2 p.m., at the Town Hall, the other at 7 p.m. at Cardinal Carter Secondary School.

While Horrobin’s report estimated a cost savings of $2.6 million over five years, Deputy Mayor Rob Schmidt questioned whether a dollar figure can actually be assigned to certain aspects of municipal policing—such as having officers and dispatchers familiar with the area.

He also questioned the cost comparisons.

“Even with all the work done,” said Schmidt, “it’s not exactly comparing the same types of policing.”

He said the there is a difference of three uniformed officers policing full-time in Leamington under the OPP proposal, as well as a loss of local dispatching.

“The OPP will never be able to provide as good a service if they don’t know the people and the area.”

Schmidt also questioned who would be in charge of the Leamington police. “There would not be one officer in charge,” said Schmidt, “we would have ¾ of a staff sergeant and ¼ of an inspector.”

“Those kinds of differences bother me,” added Schmidt, “I just can’t quantify this.”

Councillor John Paterson agreed with Schmidt that some of the cost comparisons were not “apples to apples”.

He said the possible loss of several civilian staff members, as well as three top level officers “does not sit well with me”.

“This would be chasing jobs out of our area,” he said.

He also questioned the level of coverage in Leamington. “There will be times Leamington is not covered,” said Paterson. “If I want five officers on the streets, I want five OPP officers on the streets.”

“I have real issues with the facts coming out,” he added, “apples to apples, I don’t see the savings.”

But Councillor Rick Atkin thought it was a fair comparison.

“Definitely the costs look very attractive,” said Atkin, “and I feel the comparison is apples to apples.”

“I look forward to hearing from our residents,” he added.

The recommendation by Horrobin called for police station counter service during regular OPP business hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Actual policing would be around the clock service.

That option included the savings of $2.6 million over five years with an annual operational savings of nearly a $1 million. But the estimated savings didn’t include the startup costs or the estimated $2.4 million cost of the transition.

Councillor Herb Enns said this will probably be the most difficult decision he will have to make in his 24 years in politics.