Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes is still seeking some assurance that local RCMP services won’t be taxed to the limit when the new correctional centre begins operation.
The mayor sought answers at the Union of BC Municipalities convention recently.
He met with BC Attorney General Suzanne Anton to discuss the issue of policing in relation to the Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC).
Hovanes said research on other prison facilities suggests that the OCC will generate a file every time an incident occurs, and incidents of a criminal nature will need to involve the RCMP. As a result, that will have an impact on local RCMP resources and workload, the mayor pointed out.
Hovanes said the Oliver detachment is already taxed, and he doesn’t want resources diminished further by the added responsibility of addressing OCC files.
The mayor said he has not been promised more police officers in Oliver where BC’s largest correctional facility is being built.
“We want solutions now rather than after.”
Anton told the Chronicle that she does not anticipate increased pressure on local police resources as the new prison becomes operational.
Anton said the government continually monitors policing resources. This includes collaborating with communities and the RCMP to ensure adequate, effective policing in smaller communities like Oliver that are served by provincial detachments. She noted 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,” Anton pointed out.
She stated 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.”
Neither Sgt. Ken Harrington from the Oliver RCMP nor Sgt. Kevin Schur from the Osoyoos RCMP could be reached for comment.
Hovanes said the other issue of concern is when Oliver surpasses 5,000 population, which he sees happening when the prison operation attracts new families to the area. The next census in Canada is 2016.
The mayor says Oliver is about 200 people shy of 5,000, and once that threshold is reached, the Town will have to pay 70 per cent of policing costs as opposed to 30 per cent it pays now.
Hovanes would like to see improvements made to the Oliver detachment before the population threshold is reached. He noted there is room to expand the RCMP building to make it larger.
“We should be lobbying now. We’re asking them (the ministry) to look after these concerns prior to them hitting us.”
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
