Following a lively meeting at the Espanola Legion, council will not likely be making any immediate decision on switching from municipal to provincial policing.
There were many concerns raised by the over 100 Espanola citizens at tonight’s Legion meeting in regards to actual savings if a switch was to take place.
Most of the savings in the first year would come from eliminating the four full-time and three part-time dispatchers and a reduction in the portion of what is paid to the detachment commander, who would replace the police chief.
There were also concerns about having OPP standard office hours of Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm with emergency services outside those hours being delivered through the North Bay OPP communication centre.
At this time, the Espanola Municipal Police offers 24 hours, 7 days a week service.
There were also concerns raised about where $1 million per year savings would come from because after the initial three-year contract, which is based on full-time equivalent officers, it would switch to a billing model based on calls for service. For many people in attendance, that didn’t sit too well, more so since there are no hard numbers because they are ‘unknown at this time.’
Espanola Police Board chair, Mary-Lou Mick, is concerned about a loss of autonomy. She pointed out she just received information that the structure of the board would change where the detachment commander would be the one making all the decisions, other members of the board would come from outside communities served within the revamped detachment zone whereas now the board works with the chief to decide on local programming and delivery of service.
Originally council had hoped to make the decision next week, but they do have more time.
They will also allow for delegations at Tuesday night’s regular meeting (call the town by 4:30pm Tuesday to be put on the agenda).
The final deadline for signing the contract is May 22nd meeting
Originally council had hoped to make the decision next week, but the public hopes they will take time to absorb and address public concerns.