Red Deer residents can expect slightly slower response times to non-emergency calls because additional Mounties won’t be patrolling city streets in 2011, says Red Deer RCMP Supt. Brian Simpson.
On Friday, Simpson presented the city RCMP’s draft operating budget that would keep police officer levels the same as in 2010. That equates to 125 municipally funded officers, plus three provincially funded ones.
Simpson said the police are practising financial restraint as other municipal departments have had to do during slower economic times. He told council that if he could, he’d see 10 more officers on city streets — that request will come in 2012. Last year, RCMP’s calls for service rose by 3,700 — a little bit of growth, according to Simpson.
“It’s important that I put forward what I feel is needed for our service,” said Simpson. “I want to make it very clear it is safe out there.”
Officers will notice an impact because they’ll have a bigger workload as the city continues to grow. Residents may see a difference, too.
“The ability to get to a non-emergent call as quick — will change a little bit,” Simpson said. “And the length of time spent on a minor matter will be less than it will be on a more important or urgent matter.”
He’s already seeing an impact because his detachment had been becoming pro-active on crime, but has once again become more reactive in the past six months. Simpson said police are seeing a marked increased in weapons offences. A number of those weapons are being found during vehicle searches. And with organized crime and gangs, plus other criminal activities infiltrating from nearby Calgary and Edmonton, Red Deer is seeing more big-city crime.
“We do have issues and the fortunate part too, we get a lot of support from the public,” Simpson said.
During an earlier presentation by the Community Services division, Councillor Chris Stephan questioned why the city was not considering adding new officers, particularly when residents listed crime as a top concern in a 2009 survey.
“If this area isn’t a priority, I don’t know what is.”
City manager Craig Curtis said the police force has been greatly expanded in past years and that has only been paused in the last two budgets.
However, the city has not stopped investing in police and has built two new police stations, a satellite station on 67th Street opened in 2009, and a $30 million downtown headquarters due to open in March.
Colleen Jensen, the city’s Community Services director, said between 2004 and 2009 there have been 34 additional police officers approved as well as the equivalent of 27.5 full-time equivalent municipal support staff.
Bylaw officers have also been added.
One of the biggest number of complaints police receive centres on speeding and the perceived lack of enforcement.
“Photo radar does work — speaking from personal experience,” Simpson said. “It does change driving patterns and habits.”
On top of the base budget, RCMP are seeking a second photo radar vehicle for $600,000. This cost includes the vehicle, leasing camera equipment and ticket processing costs. Traffic volumes have increased so there is a need for this additional vehicle, Simpson said.
Simpson said he recognizes some people will think this is just another money-grabber for police because of additional revenue from fines.
“The reality is issues around death and injury are directly related to motor vehicle collisions,” said Simpson.
The Police Services budget is also forecasting a $300,000 shortfall in fine revenue collection. Simpson believes some people aren’t paying up because they are facing tougher economic times.
It’s also seeking an additional $81,435 to pay for a provincial funding shortfall of three police officer positions.
Overall, the Police Services budget is set at $17.23 million which includes downtown building operating expenses and municipal employee costs. The RCMP staffing portion, which last year was around $15.1 million, is seeking an additional $850,000.
Red Deer city council will begin debating the RCMP budget and other municipal department budgets starting Wednesday.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com