The Town of Shelburne is moving one step closer to deciding what to do about policing in the town.
A special council meeting was held Tuesday evening, including an OPP Community Information Session.
Council was able to ask questions of OPP Sgt. Ken Kee and Staff Sgt. Nicol Randall.
A common question, among council and residents, was response times.
Kee said response times are hard to predict because comparing response times in one detachment to another wouldn’t be “comparing apples to apples.”
There were questions about the level of community involvement from the OPP when compared to what’s being provided by the Shelburne Police Service.
Kee pointed out that OPP officers participate in a wide range of community events including school resource initiatives, and the DARE program.
He also let people know that the OPP costings can be found under the billing model web page on the OPP’s website.
Councillor Kyle Fegan wanted clarification on a possible reduction of officers in year four of the contract and what would cause that.
According to Kee, the OPP is working on a new staffing model in order to restructure how the service conducts staffing across the province.
The new model is being brought in to include decision making and supporting the front line and is under consultation which he hopes will be done by year four.
Deputy Mayor Steve Anderson asked about if the the OPP would be open to establishing a program designed to help build trust with youths, the black community, the LGBTQ community, indigenous and other minorities.
Kee said of course, it’s part of the strategic plan to find ways to work with communities and be flexible.
Meanwhile, Councillor Walter Benotto wanted to know if the OPP would do similar community support programs such as “Lock it or Lose it.”
Staff Sgt. Nicol Randall said yes as the OPP usually do such a program around the holidays or in communities that are being hit hard by overnight break ins, and that it’s included as part of the foot/community patrols.
Kee also made it clear that Shelburne would become its own zone with 3 officers and contracted set hours.
The OPP is contractually obligated to provide those hours and if they go under, the town will be given a credit, while if they go over – they won’t be charged.
No guarantee three officers will be in the town at all times, something Mayor Wade Mills says that isn’t even a guarantee right now with the Shelburne Police.
Kee says the Integrated Service Delivery Model means if officers from Shelburne are called out of town to assist, officers from a neighbouring zone within Dufferin County would come into Shelburne to fill the gap until those Shelburne officers return.
The gaps in the other zone would be filled by surrounding zones and so on.
The town has six months from June 22nd to respond to the OPP with a decision.