Spina, police board spar over downtown enforcement
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An ex-cop’s wanting results of stepped-up police presence downtown during the summer months prompted caution that the new Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board member not try to influence activity of officers.
Ward 1 Coun. Sonny Spina succeeded Ward 2 Lisa Vezeau-Allen on the police board following her resignation from the oversight group in May. Spina was a special constable at the provincial courthouse for less than a year before working 18 years with the Sault police department. Spina is now managing director of security with N1 Solutions.
Attending his first meeting of the police board last Thursday, Spina wanted to be kept up-to-date about additional police patrols downtown in July and August. The board doesn’t meet again until late September. Spina said “the last thing I would want” is to learn then there was an issue downtown in July or August.
Chief Hugh Stevenson told Spina it’s his responsibility to deploy officers “as you’re well aware.” He told the first-term city councillor he’d have Deputy Chief Robert MacLahlan relay results during the summer. Stevenson added he and board chair John Bruno are in weekly, “sometimes daily,” contact.
“It’s not like we’re gone in terms of communication (during the summer),” said Stevenson.
Board member Ian MacKenzie asked Spina if he had a business downtown and, if so, if he may have a conflict of interest regarding the police department’s increased surveillance of the area.
Spina said his employer has an office downtown. Its address is 477 Queen St. E.
Spina told the board he was acting on requests from Sault residents “requesting a police presence” downtown and concerns of “lack of fast response time.
“I want to make sure, from a city council perspective, that we’re covering the needs of the citizens,” he said. “We are the representatives of the people. We have to bring those concerns forward and that is my goal here today.”
Bruno reminded Spina the police board is not responsible for operations.
“We direct only the chief,” he said. “No one here can call up and say please do this or please do that. That’s the rules that are laid out to us.”
Information is shared at Stevenson’s discretion “and when (he) can give it to us,” said Bruno. “The police are doing the best they can. We’re going to try our best to reduce those times as best we can. We feel good about what’s going to happen between now and September.”
Ward 4 Coun. Marchy Bruni is also on the police board. He told others at the meeting he understands Spina’s comments.
“We all get (police-related) calls,” said Bruni. Those concerns are relayed to Stevenson and MacLachlan.
The chief told The Sault Star following the meeting the police department is “very cognizant of concerns” about the city’s downtown. “We are very cognizant of ensuring visibility in the downtown core which we hope will act as a deterrent for people that want to act up, as well as to give the public a sense of public safety.”
The police department is in contact with Downtown Association and hoteliers in the area.
“We’re listening to what they want and we put those needs before the police services board,” said Stevenson.
Two bike patrols, each made up of a police officer and special constable, will patrol downtown during the summer. Two officers on overtime will work six-hour shifts on foot and by cruiser.
“Regular updates” about summer enforcement efforts downtown from the chief will help the board recognize if the department’s strategy is successful, said Spina.
“If it’s not, then we have to make a request for him to change his approach and do something else that will meet the needs of the community,” said Spina on Friday. “If it’s great, we’re going to continue with it.”
His ask came before a board orientation session that afternoon with Tom Gervais, a police services adviser with Ministry of the Solicitor General. That meeting is done when a new member joins the board, said Stevenson. Roles and responsibilities are spelled out, as are conflict of interest, code of conduct and privacy expectations.
Spina maintains his request “absolutely (did) not” overstep his boundaries as a police board member.
“That is exactly what the board is there to do,” he said. “The board is there to monitor the performance of the chief and the board is there to provide direction to the chief. I’m concerned that other board members did not see that as an opportunity to monitor this going forward.”
Stevenson is looking forward to having Spina at the board table.
“I think councillor Spina will be a wonderful addition to the police services board,” he said following the meeting. “We look forward to working closely with him in terms of adequate and effective policing for Sault Ste. Marie.”
Stevenson welcomes “critical discourse” with police board members.
“What it does is it shows the boundaries of what’s one role is and what’s one role isn’t,” he said.
On Twitter: @Saultreporter
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