The chief says the $401 million budget is a response to more requests
On Monday, the Ottawa Police Services Board met for three and a half hours and approved a $401 million budget for 2023.
The budget for police is going up by $15.2 million, which is about $17 for the average family. The money will be used to hire 25 new officers, buy more hybrid cars, and start a new body camera project.
Before the meeting, Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs said that this increase was needed because demand was going up and prices were going up.
“People are looking for us in a lot more places, such as the country, the suburbs, and the city center.” “They want to see more of us in the Byward Market,” he said.
“There are more and more requests everywhere, and we have to meet them… “The only way to do this in a growing community is to put money into police work.”
Before approving the budget, the board heard from a number of people who were worried about the increase.
“We keep spending money on police services when that money could be used to help people, especially the most vulnerable people in this community.” “It’s a huge disappointment.” Chloe Humber, who went to the meeting as a member of the public delegation, said this.
“Everything is what the police want more of.” “More cops means more money and a bigger budget share,” said Inez Hillel, a public delegate.
“Do you ever ask them when they’re going to be full?” “When are you going to admit that having more police does not make you safer?”
Other public delegations said that the need for more mental health services and a worsening housing crisis were more important things to spend money on.
Changing the rules for public participatio
Changes to the rules for public delegation also caused worry.
The board’s policy and governance committee had originally suggested moving public delegations to a separate lunchtime meeting where each delegation would have three minutes to speak if more than 12 people wanted to do so.
Kanata North Coun. Cathy Curry, who supported the change to noon, said, “The real feedback you get is from many other sources, not just these delegations.”
“That would make it harder for public delegates to use this space,” said Farnaz Farhang, who was a delegate at the meeting on Monday.
Farhang said she was worried that parents and people with jobs would not be able to attend afternoon meetings.
“By moving the public delegations to a different time, you would send a clear message that you’re not really here to listen to the public’s ideas and concerns and include them in a meaningful way in the discussions that affect their day-to-day lives.”
Alta Vista Coun. Marty Carr suggested that public delegations stay at regular board meetings but that people have to write down what they want to say before the meeting.
“The delegations told us many times that they wanted us to ask questions.” I know that, and I know that it’s easier for me to ask a question if I’ve already read the material “she told me.”
“Asking people to send in materials ahead of time was added so that we can talk more with those who are delegating.”
In the end, the board members agreed with Carr’s plan to keep public delegations at the main meeting and to require written comments in advance.
On Wednesday, the city council will discuss and approve the full budget for 2023.