104 replies to this topic

[VicHockeyFan]

Vic PD Chief optimistic province will choose them to provide service in Esquimalt

http://www.cfax1070....news&Itemid=155

[Jacques Cadé]

Victoria mayor Dean Fortin on CFAX right now (11:00 am Wednesday) to speak about Esquimalt policing and Occupy campers in Centennial Square.

[Mike K.]

What did Mayor Fortin have to say about the police issue?

[Baro]

It's not like esquimalt doesn't have a history of making ridiculous spiteful decisions in regard to their services and deals with victoria...

[Mike K.]

How about a toll on the JSB and Bay Street Bridge levied against Esquimalt residents to help keep displaced VicPD cops employed?

[sebberry]

How about a toll on the JSB and Bay Street Bridge levied against Esquimalt residents to help keep displaced VicPD cops employed?

I suppose that would help keep the Esquimalt criminals out of Victoria, too

[Mike K.]

Wouldn't that be nice!

[sebberry]

It might not stop them, but they'd at least have to pay before getting drunk and peeing on our sidewalks.

Or, better still - just raise the bridge at 10pm and leave it up until sun rise. Then when they get drunk they can pee on their own sidewalks.

That's my cheap as chips approach to solving crime for the day.

It'll also save wear and tear on the bridge and we might actually get 100 years out of it after all.

[Nparker]

Or, better still - just raise the bridge at 10pm and leave it up until sun rise. Then when they get drunk they can pee on their own sidewalks...

Wouldn't this just mean that everyone would use the Bay Street (Pt. Ellice) Bridge?

[Mike K.]

Hey now, that would lock me out of Vic West!

I say let Esquimalt have its own PD or select the RCMP. Together with their infrastructure deficit (it hasn't yet reared its ugly head like it has in Victoria, and unlike Oak Bay, few are starting to notice it) tax payers will find excellent value in the choices they make.

[sebberry]

Wouldn't this just mean that everyone would use the Bay Street (Pt. Ellice) Bridge?

We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

[VicHockeyFan]

I say let Esquimalt have its own PD or select the RCMP.

And lay off 14% of our police force? Some how I get the feeling that if Esq. did get its own force or the RCMP, our council would find a way to jack up the police budget to keep anyone from being laid off.

[VicHockeyFan]

Desjardins said building a new police detachment for the RCMP is not a given.

"Where do the prisoners from Saanich go right now? They go to VicPD," she said. "There's a shared ability around the region."

From today's TC. (I choose not to post links to a paywall now).

"We don't want to be policed by VPD, but we are happy to drop our prisoners off there", is what she is saying. I think Saanich has some form of cells, but they try not to overnight prisoners, as the sheriff's service likes the ease of one pick-up at VPD to deliver people to court every morning.

[Mike K.]

And lay off 14% of our police force? Some how I get the feeling that if Esq. did get its own force or the RCMP, our council would find a way to jack up the police budget to keep anyone from being laid off.

I hear you. The VicPD would likely put off any new hiring for quite a while should they find themselves kicked out of Esquimalt.

But realistically speaking how long would the VicPD remain in Esquimalt if the decision to replace the force came down tomorrow? There has to be some form of a squeaky clean transition process that surely wouldn't just occur overnight, would it? This would give Victoria some time to plan and budget.

And anybody know how many officers are currently stationed in Esquimalt?

[Gipper]

http://www.ctvvancou...-public-safety/

According to CTV the RCMP proposal was to provide an independent detachment of 35 police officers. This would likely mean an inspector would be made the officer in charge with uniform patrol watches of five or six and small traffic, detective, and community policing/school liaison sections.

[VicHockeyFan]

Cfax:

esquimalt must keep newly named victoria and esquimalt police – mayor calls it an “insult” #yyj #cfax read the full story

the joint victoria-esquimalt police force will remain, but with a new name and some adjustments to its decision making processes.

Justice minister shirley bond confirmed that decision today, communicating it to both mayors shortly before discussing it with media.

Bond made this statement on a conference call, "we will be supporting the recommendations of the independent mediator, who is recommending that an amalgamated police department and board structure for policing in victoria and esquimalt is viable and certainly we are going to work very hard with both parties to ensure that, moving forward, we can see a successful amalgamation continue in the future."

bond acknowledged the mayor of esquimalt was "disappointed" when informed of the decision. The minister says one thing that did emerge from the government's review is that esquimalt has valid concerns and this decision does not mean "status quo".

There will be significant changes, with specific timelines attached.
The mayor of esquimalt spoke with cfax 1070 shortly after today's announcement. Barb desjardins calls today's decision by the minister an "insult."

"we're extremely disappointed that the minister of justice has elected to ignore our careful analysis and publicly driving process of our policing panel. Her decision is an insult to the panel’s diligent efforts in finding the right model of policing for...

[Holden West]

Rebranding our police is the stupidest idea to come out of Esquimalt in its history. We just spent thousands updating VicPD's brand and now Kim Jung Barb wants to throw it all away so we can have everything rebranded to Esquimalt & Victoria PD? What the hell?

[Baro]

As a rockland resident I'm shocked and disgusted and demand Rockland be added to the new name. I'd also like Craigdarroch castle incorporated into the logo or I will not at all feel that the city is respecting my community's community based desire for community policing in my community. I'm also deeply offended that there is no mention of our first nations in the police department name or logo which is extremely disrespectful. Chinatown needs a mention too. Spare no funds, these are the things that matter in my community.

Community.

[aastra]

I'd caution you not to overlook the community aspect.

[aastra]

...we will be supporting the recommendations of the independent mediator, who is recommending that an amalgamated police department and board structure for policing in victoria and esquimalt is viable...

They're really going out on a limb with that recommendation. Adjacent urban municipalities that share the same streets, the same neighbourhoods, and the same downtown... and we're supposed to believe amalgamated policing is viable?