Consult the community and compare all costs for next policing decision

Re Town to move on from Windsor police, will explore remaining policing options

It was deeply alarming to read mayor Prue’s statement, ‘we didn’t even ask the price’ and the only question was about a voice and vote on the board, which Amherstburg has with a provincial appointee.

The contract conditions were well known during the proposal and during subsequent renewals.

When council initially decided in favour of Windsor Police it committed that, prior to a renewal decision, it would consult with the community regarding the overall experience with the Windsor Police Service during the first term. 

The original renewal notice date of April 30, 2022 was extended to June 30 and again to December 31. 

During the December 5, 2022 meeting, council approved the CAO’s recommendation and again extended the deadline to renew to March 31, 2023. 

The rationale for the third extension was that a new council was dealing with several issues and a ‘fulsome public consultation may not be attainable’ during the holiday season. 

Mayor Prue made a point of ensuring the public understood the town requested an extension ‘so that we can hold public consultations’ on the police contract which would take place between December and March.

The community wasn’t consulted during the three-month extension and instead of waiting until March 31, council renewed on February 8, 2023.

During the February 8 meeting, council learned that the five-year average cost for policing Amherstburg with Windsor Police was $5.4 million and LaSalle’s was $7.8 million; Amherstburg saved a five-year average of $1,742,205.

As Deputy Mayor Gibb mentioned during the February meeting, Essex County counterparts save approximately $2 million annually with the OPP, or about $10 million compared to our insignificant $1.7 million over five years. 

Given that an OPP costing was not obtained prior to the Windsor agreement, which was a disservice to taxpayers, and two previous council motions to obtain an OPP costing were never rescinded, this council should fulfill promises to consult the community and compare all costs and options prior to making another decision.

—Linda Saxon

Amherstburg

Consult the community and compare all costs for next policing decision