Screenshot. Dryden Council
There were only two official presentations at a public meeting last week on the OPP Costing Proposal.
Both focused on a potential switch in service and its impact on the ongoing Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan.
Janet Kaus is President of the Dryden Police Association and she talked about the important role municipal police play.
“A community policing model, like the one Dryden Police prides itself on, is the best solution to ensure the goals and the strategies of the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan are carried out in collaboration with our local partners.”
She notes those strong partnerships and relationships are already in place.
Kaus adds 50% of her members have worked with the local force for over 10 years and there are many others with 20 plus years service.
“We have served and protected Dryden and built strong foundations and relationships with our community partners and citizens themselves. We pride ourselves on our community policing service model and believe it works in Dryden.”
Diana Laverty represented the Dryden Police Senior Officers Association and stated, “Our hope is that the decision will be made to take the $710,000 in start-up fees and invest that directly in this community and lead the change required to achieve all of these goals. The Dryden Police Service believes so deeply in the foundation philosophy of the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan.”
Laverty also questioned the financial projects provided by the OPP and the City sponsored consultants report.
“Ten to five year projections are not realistic for small communities like Dryden if the government is given complete control. With both the federal and provincial governments moving into elections and the insecurity of the post-pandemic future, is it not the best option to have more control within your community than relinquish it to the government.”
She also pointed to the vast coverage area of OPP compared to the Dryden Police Service.
The City received one letter in advance of the meeting.
The individual cited concerns about start-up costs, how the City could afford it, and looking at a new policing model in the middle of a pandemic without face-to-face meetings.
The local resident also suggested holding a plebiscite on the issue.
Dryden Police and OPP were also allowed to make comments at the brief meeting.
This was the final scheduled Police Costing meeting in front of Dryden Council.
Chief Administrative Officer Roger Nesbitt says there is still time to chime in on the OPP Costing Proposal.
A survey is available online until July 5.
After that Council will have to make a decision and they have until November 17 to make their intentions known.
To watch the presentations at the public meeting, visit Dryden Council Page and go to the June 24 meeting Video.
To participate in the survey and for more policing details visit Police Costing Page
