HRM policing debate to continue in private
Posted Mar 2, 2010 05:15:43 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
City council sits down again in camera today to discuss the future of police in HRM.
At issue is a police commission report recommending city police take over the areas of the city now patrolled by the RCMP.
That report might be made public today, as city hall faces growing pressure from its own councillors who demand the the debate be open for public input.
Rural area councillors like Coun. Barry Dalrymple (Waverley-Fall River-Beaverbank) are opposed to any change in policing. Dalrymple’s district is covered by the RCMP and that’s the way he wants it to stay.
“City police in the cities do a job very, very well,” he said. “RCMP do the job in suburban and rural areas very, very well. Here in the HRM we have the best of both worlds. Why are we trying to screw it up?”
Coun. Bob Harvey (Lower Sackville,) whose district is also covered by RCMP, says he’s on the fence right now as far as a change, but he does want public involvement before any decision is made.
“I’d feel a lot more comfortable making a decision after public consultation,” said Harvey.
Mayor Kelly says council did vote on Monday to continue the discussions behind closed doors for now. He wouldn’t reveal the actual vote count.
