Brockville police board rejects proposed 11 per cent increase
A proposed increase of more than 11 per cent to the 2022 Brockville police budget has been turned down.
The budget proposal included the hiring of four new police officers and four new vehicles, as well as the hiring of two experienced officers to replace two vacancies from retirements.
Brockville councillor Larry Journal, who sits on the police services board, says the amount is just too high.
"After last year's increase of five plus (per cent), it just didn't seem to be palatable," Journal told CTV News Ottawa on Wednesday. "It's understandable, there are a lot of police officers off, it's very difficult during COVID-19, so although there is an understanding, I just don't think it's going to be palatable for the residents of Brockville for that high of an increase."
He added that the police chief and deputy chief have to go back to the drawing board to look at the expenses and reduce that amount.
"I think that the amount is just going to be something that residents are going to have a very difficult time swallowing and I know that figure will come down," Journal said.
"I think what we need to do as police service board is we need to look at all the efficiencies that we can. I don't think we are going to be able to hire four officer even though there are a number of officers off on WSIB right now," he added.
"I represent the taxpayers of this city and also it's a balance, right? What we want is we want safety, we want good policing, we want the safety of our police officers, but we also need to look at the cost and so there has to be a balance there somewhere."
The police board has until Nov. 30 to present their budget to the city.
"I know that they will be working on it. They'll probably try to make that November 30 deadline, but I think if they are a week or two late, that's not going to be a huge issue," Journal said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.