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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-01-25, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018. OPP's ability to mirror Wingham police questioned Continued from page 11 that Hill mentioned, a computer system that can read licence plates and identify vehicles of interest, Poole said equipment like that wasn't strictly necessary in a community the size of Wingham as officers have the ability to investigate suspicious vehicles through other means. Lisa Herman, a Wingham resident, asked if the OPP would have an officer stationed in Wingham 24 hours a day, matching the service currently provided by the Wingham Police Service. Huron Detachment Inspector Jason Younan said the OPP deploy their officers based on crime and traffic trends. "There may be times when there are multiple officers here in the Wingham area," he said, refering to after the transitional contract was completed. "Sometimes, they are in different locations across the county. It's based on calls per service and severity." Herman next asked if the OPP would mirror certain services provided by the Wingham Police Service, pointing to the latter's presence at the schools in the community at the beginning of the school day to monitor traffic. Younan said there are officers in the OPP who visit schools and could make that part of their patrol when they visit Wingham sites. "Everything is in relation to operational demands," he said. Herman also asked about response time, saying that officers in Wingham Police Service are typically quick to respond. "We respond to all calls for services based on operational demands," Younan said. "As a police service, we don't track response times. We track effectiveness of investigations, but it depends on what is going on in the day. For me to say, with certainty, we will have an officer in Wingham 24/7 is unrealistic" Herman's last question was in regards to the three year model, asking if there were any municipalities which had gone through the transitional process. While some municipalities have gone through the process, the most recent being Pembroke, the OPP representatives at the meeting didn't have any information regarding post - transition budgets. Wingham resident Jason Schiestel next asked what kind of police presence Wingham would see after the transitional contract and was told, after the three years, any officers that were hired for Wingham would be part of the Huron County detachment and could be moved around the area. Schiestel also asked how much it would cost to have an OPP officer in Wingham at all times as part of an "enriched service" and was told the annual wage for an officer is $98,000. The OPP representatives, however, noted that wasn't the full cost as it didn't include benefits and equipment. Former municipal Councillor Archie MacGowan, a Wingham ratepayer, spoke highly of the Wingham Police Service, saying that he didn't see a significant savings as a result of the change. "After the three years, it's a guessing game," he said. "I have known different [police service] disbandments that have occurred and, after they got through the transition, they had to renegotiate because call volumes had gone up and the price [was] different." MacGowan, who was also on the Police Services Board for Wingham, said in his experience it was difficult to judge 10 years of call volumes over three years, saying, in his experience, they were cyclical. Finally, MacGowan asked for his representatives to vote to keep the Wingham Police Service, saying that, with a local department, there is a way to keep costs under control and have a say in budgets and direction. "When the department is done, it's done," he said. "Council won't be involved in collective bargaining. You will have given your power away." Wingham resident Dave Hill asked how the OPP would be able to respond if roads to Wingham were closed. Younan said that road closures, in the legal sense, don't apply to the OPP, and said that the OPP has equipment, including ATVs, snow machines and 4x4 vehicles to get through that weather. Bill McGrath of Wingham, also a former council member, said that 25 years ago this same issue was brought up. He expressed skepticisim that the OPP would be as present in the community as Wingham officers currently are. "I don't want to see the OPP here," he said. "I don't not like them, they just can't do the same job that the community force can and we can't bring that force back if we get rid of them" McGrath provided stories regarding his interactions with the Wingham Police Service, saying they go above and beyond the call of community policing in helping to keep ratepayers safe. Furthermore, he said that Wingham has, in his opinion, a low crime rate and said the way to keep that was to keep the Wingham Police Service. Vincent said the costs for disbanding the Wingham Police Service, definitely would be assessed to Wingham ratepayers. Schiestel asked how that $450,000 to $480,000 would be paid for by ratepayers, asking as well about the $200,000 start-up costs for the OPP. "That's $650,000 spread over 1,500 properties," he said. "That's a pretty good hike on our taxes on the first year." He asked if council had any plans to spread it out over several years NORTH 0 HURON and was told that was an option being considered by council. "From staff's perspective, we're not envisioning the one-time exit costs would all be borne in that first year," Evans said. Several other individuals expressed their support for the Wingham Police Service, each, like those previously, eliciting a round of applause from the majority of ratepayers in the audience before Vincent and Evans explained how council and staff were going to proceed. Notes taken from the two meetings as well as any written submissions would be gathered up and included in a report to council next month. Vincent said he hopes council can make a final decision during its second meeting of the month on Tuesday, Feb. 20. "This comes down to the Wingham Ward," Vincent said. "Tell your councillors what you want. There is a clear decision to be made here." Wingham Ward Policing North Huron Residents are encouraged to submit comments concerning Wingham Ward Policing options. Comments will be received until 4:30 p.m. on January 31, 2018, and may be dropped in the comment box located at the North Huron Town Hall, 274 Josephine, Street, Wingham. Comments will also be received by emailing ral @ northhuron.ca. Please ensure your comments include your name and municipal address. Richard Al, Clerk Township of North Huron 519-357-3550 catot. Not your typical winter sport While the Blyth Lions do host an annual winter volleyball tournament, coming up next month, the sport isn't one you immediately associate with snow and cold weather. That didn't stop students at Hullett Central Public School from grabbing a volleyball and serving back and forth with each other during a brief warm spell earlier this month. From left: Jake Bromley, Dillon Bordignon, Bryce Shortreed and Kaeden MacDonald. (Denny Scott photo) Rediscover what Huron County has to offer. Pick up your free guide to Stops Along The Way and see what's happening in your area! A Visitor's Guide to Huron County What to See Where to Dine Things to Do Museums Snowmobile Trails Map Available at many local tourist spots throughout Huron County or pick it up at The Citizen 413 Queen St., Blyth - 519-523-4792