BANFF — The mayor of the Rocky Mountain resort town of Banff, Alta., says he’s concerned that the province may cut funding for seven of the 20 officers in the RCMP detachment.
John Stutz is worried that fewer police, coupled with a high transient population, could result in more crime.
A spokesperson with Alberta’s Solicitor General would only say the province is in “ongoing discussions to determine appropriate policing for the town of Banff.”
It costs $700,000 to keep the seven Mounties stationed in Banff.
Funding for the seven has been covered by the province since 1990, when a special deal was signed to help accommodate Banff’s unique policing demand.
Every year, Banff attracts about four million tourists and the mountain town’s population can triple on any given day.
“We want to make sure people do perceive Banff as a safe and secure community,” Stutz says. “We are that, but we want to make sure we maintain that. If we lost that, that becomes a problem. It is very difficult to regain that reputation again.”
Tourism pumps millions of dollars into Alberta’s treasury, say Banff officials, adding it’s in the government’s best interest to make sure visitors feel safe.
“The perception of safety here is a reflection of, not only Alberta, but all of Canada,” says Julie Canning, president of Banff-Lake Louise Tourism.
“So it’s very important for us. We take that role and responsibility very seriously.”
The mayor is meeting Monday with the Solicitor General Frank Oberle on the issue.