“We’re a violent community, and I’m not proud of that.”
The RCMP presented some disconcerting numbers in a pressing case for an increased budget, but additional staff are on hold for now.
RCMP Superintendent Warren Brown made a strong case for the extra bodies, pointing out $1.4 million dollars in 2014 overtime pay compensating with Prince George’s ‘unacceptable’ high crime rate.
When looking at cities of a similar size, Brown pointed out that Kamloops houses 3400 prisoners, Kelowna had 5400 (with a population that doubles in the summer), and Surrey had roughly 7000- but has a much larger population and around 700 officers.
Last year, Prince George had 4500 prisoners.
With less than 130 officers to deal with that, some are starting to feel the pressure of the mountainous workload.
“We’re certainly not going to take our foot off the gas, and we’re going to work as hard as we can, however, it makes it less of a desirable place to work,” explained Brown. “For those pressures, when you compare us to other detachments… Retention becomes an issue, attraction becomes an issue, and those are already internal pressures that we face here.”
He also pointed out a particularly vulnerable population in the north, with many people ‘who wouldn’t show up in a census’.
2015 crime stats aren’t available, so the City was working off anecdotal evidence… But a busted crackhouse leading to the seizure of firearms, pipe bombs, and 10,000 needles was fresh on everyone’s mind.
The Police are looking for for a 7 officer increase over the next three years, hoping to have three more people join the detachment in 2016.
The three-year stretch carries a $1.23 million price tag, with 2016 costing a little more than $480,000.
Director of Finance Kris Dalio says this would mean a tax hike.
“If you calculate that dollar figure into a tax percent increase, three new members would work out to 0.54%, and with the additional ask for a municipal member would be another .08% on top of that.”
Councillor Terri McConnachie applauded the RCMP’s work, but remained leery about the increase.
“It seems like an expectation, rather than appreciation, but once this increase is made, it’s never going to go back.”
Councillors Skakun and Koehler also said they’d like to hold off on the funding, while Councillor Merrick requested patience from the police.
This led to the approval of the RCMP base budget, though the enhancements are up in the air.
The City will discuss it further at the December 2nd budget meeting.
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