Mayor Ron Hovanes takes the oath of office during council’s inaugural meeting last week. He encouraged councillors to fully debate every issue and make quality decisions in the best interests of the community.
Lyonel Doherty photo
The Town of Oliver is asking for assurances from the Ministry of Justice that the community won’t be on the hook for any additional policing costs to service the Okanagan Correctional Centre.
In a draft letter to Minister Susanne Anton, Mayor Ron Hovanes requests that the province assures the Town that it won’t have to pay the cost for additional RCMP man-hours to service the new prison. In addition, the mayor asks that the municipality not be responsible for any costs associated with the expansion of the police detachment building or any additional clerical staffing.
Hovanes said the Town fully understands the financial implications associated with the community reaching a population of 5,000.
“We also know that the population increase will come with the responsibility of owning the physical detachment and its upkeep.”
The mayor said it is understood that a prison of this size may need up to four full-time equivalent officers to take on police files associated with the facility.
“With the future added costs associated with a 5,000 plus population, my community does not believe it should be paying the approximate 70 per cent of police costs to service strictly rural needs, as well as our own.”
Hovanes said it would not be appropriate for the Town to take on all of the additional “rural” costs associated with the prison, which is slated for completion late next year.
Anton previously told the Chronicle that the ministry does not anticipate increased pressure on local police resources as the facility becomes operational.
Anton said the RCMP is monitoring workloads to assess resource implications that may result from the Okanagan Correctional Centre.
“The new correctional centre will reduce pressure on local police lockups, where provincial inmates would normally be held while awaiting court outcomes.”
She added that any new provincial member requests will be considered by the RCMP in balance with priority needs throughout the province.
“It should be noted that addressing crime isn’t just about officer numbers – integrated policing, engaged citizens, new laws and other initiatives have all contributed to BC’s lowest crime rate in decades.”
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
