Wingham Police In Favor Of Disbanding - Special Meeting 26Feb2018
Source: WFP
Date: Tue Feb 6 14:18:14 MST 2018
Click here to view on YouTube.
Below is from the agenda package for last night’s meeting. (pg 348)
Wingham Police Association.
JAN 25 2018, TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HURON
Reeve Neil Vincent
January 19, 2018
North Huron Council Members The Wingham Police Association has felt strongly since amalgamation that the Township of North Huron be policed by one Police Service. The members are confident that they can provide adequate and effective Policing to the entire Township of North Huron. At the public meeting on January 17, 2018 Reeve Vincent made comment in an open forum "that there was no appetite" for the Wingham Police to expand into the rest of the Township. The Association was disheartened to hear this comment made several times during the course of the public meeting. It was approximately 17 years ago the Association found itself in this same costing issue. The Association can tell you that it was in support of disbanding the Wingham Police Service then and that it still supports the disbandment, given the projected costs in the presentation of Dwayne Evans, CAO for the Township of North Huron.
The Wingham Police Association appreciates the time and effort Mr. Evans put in to preparing the presentation on the three options of Policing for North Huron. Of the three options it is quite clear from a financial standpoint that the OPP would be the suitable choice given their costing model is more accurate. The Council should be aware that the numbers presented for the options that involve the Wingham Police Service are quite "light" as to what the Association feels is required to continue to provide adequate and effective Policing.
It's not that we can't do the job, it's about having the proper resources to do the job in an adequate and effective manner. We feel that the Council should be aware it is about Officer and public safety! The Association is currently in negotiations with North Huron Police Services Board and although we cannot completely divulge our requests we are standing firm on having two (2) officers on duty at all times, 24 hours a day seven days a week. This alone would dramatically increase the forecasted budget Mr. Evans has prepared for the next five (5) years. The Association recognizes the ratepayers being concerned over the one time exit cost of approximately $450,000.00 to $480,000.00 and can only imagine what the ratepayers might feel if that amount was added to the current budget with an annual increase of inflation at the very least over the 5 years.
We absolutely appreciate the support the Townspeople have shown us and it doesn't go unnoticed. There has to be an understanding that it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain a "bare minimum" Police Service. The 0.P.P. have suggested that if the Town of Wingham decided to accept the 0.P.P. proposal and after the Initial 3 year contract the Town could consider entering into another contract if the Town so desired. Thus, keeping the local officers here to police Wingham. We want to continue to exist as a Police Service but given the presentations and no possibility of expansion and the potential increase cost in manpower it would only make sense that the Township accept the 0.P.P. proposal and initiate the process of disbanding the Wingham Police Service.
Regards, Mark Kirkby - President
Murray Foxton Vice-Pr
North Huron Council Contact Info:
Neil Vincent: 519-357-2336
[email protected]
Bill Knott: 519-523-4534
[email protected]
James Campbell: 519-523-9264
[email protected]
Brock Vodden: 519-523-9393
[email protected]
Ray Hallahan: 519-523-4798
[email protected]
Trevor Seip: 519-357-7759
[email protected]
Yolanda Ritsema-Teeninga: 519-357-1905
[email protected]