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Police Budget O.K.

By 250 News

$16 million dollars is the budget for the RCMP in Prince George, that core operating budget  has been approved.  That's  up about $800 thousand dollars from the previous year, an increase that is a result of the salary increase which came into effect in January.

But that's not all.  There was also a request to add 2 more members for a half year, 1 civilian for a half year, and 2 municipal support staff for a total $220 thousand dollars. That amount would increase to $429,000. in 2007.  Councilor Don Zurowski noted policing takes up a huge chunk of the City's budget, but he is very concerned that the extra dollars will translate into a delay of the development of a new police building. The request has been deferred.

Councilor Munoz wants to see the money from fines (about a million a year) shifted directly to Policing saying the $1.1.25 million expected this year would be more than enough to cover the increase of the Police budget and the requested enhancements ($220,000).  City Manager George Paul noted the money  gained through fines went into general revenue and was used to cover increases in policing costs.

Superintendant Dahl Chambers says the police services for the year ahead will continue the focus on traffic, downtown and battling the sex trade.  

Chamber says  downtown has been getting lots of  service with 2500 hours in foot patrols and he plans on continuing along that path.  He says he is looking forward to the work that can be done by the CPAC offices, now that two people (civilian staff) have been hired and a third on the way.  Chambers says he is hopeful of  having a new recruitment drive to find youthful energized recruits to volunteer at the CPAC ofices, "The CPAC offices need to be community driven" says Chambers.

There are more Auxiliaries on the way with 13 undergoing training now and they are expected to graduate in May.  That will bring the number of Auxiliaries to 33.

He says there is also a crime reduction strategy being developed. 

When it comes to traffic, Chambers says the focus will remain on public safety, with speeding, red light infractions, seatbelt use, and impaired drivers all targets.

Chambers says that as for the sex trade, he feels confident in saying things are getting better.  He realizes there are still some instances of girls plying their trade in residential areas, but there aren't as may complaints. "I can tell you this" said Chambers " we have been as diligent as any community, no other community has done more, or has any better ideas on handling this matter." He noted that fines don't seem to work, shame doesn't seem to work, so there are hopes a new emphasis on education for the johns, the sex trade workers and their handlers,will help break the cycle.




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