OPP proposing $12.6 million net budget to police Caledon in 2020

Written By ALYSSA PARKHILL

Interim Detachment Commander from the Caledon OPP Mike Garant and Town of Caledon Treasurer Heather Haire presented the proposed Caledon OPP 2020 Budget on Tuesday afternoon.

The budget is proposed at a net of roughly $12.6 million, which encounters the OPP property service costs for facility maintenance and utilities, as well as equipment and recoveries from grants.

Additionally, the costs have been split and estimated on 55 percent of the budget for Base Service and 45 percent for Calls for Service. 

Caledon OPP provided council with projections from 2021 to 2023 and is expected to be a part of the discussion of approval when taken to Regional Council. The projection calculates an increase of around $1.3 million by the year 2023. 

The billing model includes 27 enhancements for the base level of service, which includes a dedicated traffic unit, Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) and Community Response Unit (CRU), which is focused on the community engagement, education and focused patrol. 

Ward 3 and 4 Regional Councillor Jennifer Innis expressed her concern on the amount of focus of OPP officer's presence at the schools in the community, remarking how there should be an officer at every school, at all times. 

Inspector Mike Garant informed council that there are currently four officers dedicated to the schools through the OPP Kids Program and School Resource Officers. Caledon OPP is six members light due to a budget restraint from corporate level. 

The proposed budget will be presented to Regional Council in December of this year.