Sarnia police board officials impressed with feedback at latest public forum on budget, biz plan
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Paul Wiersma has lived in Sarnia for 24 years and has never seen this level of consultation between the public and the police.
“And meaningful consultation, where the ideas have actually been brought in and actually articulated in the plan,” he said while chairing Thursday’s Sarnia police board meeting at the force’s Christina Street North headquarters. “That’s fantastic.”
Sarnia police officials hosted a series of town hall meetings earlier this fall in different sections of the city ahead of penning a new three-year business plan and next year’s budget. There was also an online survey, which elicited about 1,000 responses. Fear while just living day-to-day life and concerns over addictions, homelessness and mental health were major themes that emerged from the sessions and surveys.
Tackling those issues became focal points in draft versions of the business plan and budget – one that features a proposed hike of 11.5 per cent, but with the majority of the increase linked to mandatory commitments – that were approved by the board at last month’s meeting. Police officials still went back to the public again Monday night at a downtown church for more input and reaction based on those draft documents.
That’s a new step that hasn’t been taken in recent history, Wiersma said, and he was impressed with what he heard.
“Over a hundred people were there. They spoke with one voice. Many people suggested that they felt quite strongly that the budget and this planning process was in the right direction, and we were very, very pleased,” he said.
Wiersma, who went to Monday night’s meeting alongside a few of his fellow board members, also credited some city councillors for showing up.
“We’re very, very thankful for the support of the community, the city councillors that spoke in favour,” said Wiersma, who chaired Thursday’s meeting at Sarnia police headquarters in Mayor Mike Bradley’s absence.
Board member Kelly Ash, who was also there Monday night, credited the number of police officers and staff members who showed up during their off-duty time.
“That speaks volumes to the commitment that they have,” she said.
Ash said she was also impressed with comments she saw afterwards on social media that called it the new Sarnia police department.
“That was kind of cool to see. The perception is that things are changing,” she said.
Shamel Hosni, whose future on the board is uncertain beyond Thursday as his role is appointed by city council, recalled the vibe around the city’s police force when he started in early 2020.
“The perception in the community was not good,” he said. “Now the perception is positive. It’s difficult to find a negative comment now.”
Residents will still have another chance to chime in during a public meeting Monday afternoon on the city’s overall 2023 budget process. Wiersma and Chief Derek Davis will form a delegation to city council that day.
“We’ll really encourage city council to support this direction, which I believe is an opportunity to move from reactive policing to proactive policing to start to invest in our community,” Wiersma said.
City council has final say on the police budget, but it can only approve or reject and can’t make specific changes. The business plan will also come back to the board early next year for final approval.
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