Subscribe
Back to Search
Contact(s)
The City’s contract for policing expired in December, 2012. Representatives from the OPP and the City of Orillia have been negotiating a new deal for the last 8 months and have been unable to reach an agreement.
“Over the last 5 years, the OPP’s staffing levels have increased 31% while crime rates have decreased 25%,” said Mayor Orsi.
“The OPP’s current demands seek a further increase in staffing of 5 additional staff (+7.6%). We do not believe this request is justified,” added the Mayor.
The OPP proposal to continue to police Orillia represents a 21% increase in cost for 2013, equating to approximately 4% increase in taxes. In addition, 2014 increases of at least 8.5% are anticipated due to the wage promises made to the police union by the provincial government.
“These demands are unsustainable and will create significant pressure on tax rates,” said Roman Martiuk, CAO for the City of Orillia.
City Council, at its meeting held on May 27, 2013, authorized a further review of policing options including the reestablishment of a municipal police service.
“Based on our consultants’ review, it may be possible to provide an excellent police service and achieve significant savings through a municipal police service,” said Rick Fraracci, Chair of the Orillia Police Services Board.
“We believe we should give that option a closer look,” added Fraracci.
Council has approved the following actions:
1. MPM Consulting Ltd. has been retained to draft a detailed review of the OPP’s renewal options and compare to the reestablishment of a municipal police service.
2. An architect will be retained to determine the scope of renovations required to renovate the existing police detachment building. The current estimate to replace the detachment to house both the local and Townships police service is estimated at $12 million. An Orillia-only detachment may be able to be accommodated within the existing building with a small addition at a fraction of the cost.
3. A public meeting will be scheduled in June or July to receive the two reports and obtain public input.
4. Based on this input, Council will select an option for policing the City.
Media, for further information, please contact:
Angelo Orsi,
Mayor
(705) 325-2447
mayor@orillia.ca
Roman Martiuk,
Chief Administrative Officer
(705) 329-7240
rmartiuk@orillia.ca
