Councillor Tom Insinna was quite blunt, before the group approved the increase
A dire and frank discussion at the Niagara region's budget committee with police chief Bill Fordy, and granting an 11.5% police budget increase.
The committee voted for it, but the whole of council itself must accept that later this month.
Chief Fordy made his pitch. "Criminal activity continues to evolve. Offenders are more sophisticated, often operating across multiple jurisdictions, and increasingly using advanced technologies to carry out their criminal activity."
Armed with stats of rising crime rates, he explained what voting against a $237-million ask means. "We would need to go back and really examine the current way we provide policing in the Niagara Region. We would have to look at potentially closing offices, collapsing units."
There was mixed reaction to this news among councillors.
Tom Insinna, while completely understanding the Chief's request, voted no, saying taxpayers can't handle anymore. "That's going to push people out of their homes, and then the police are going to have another job of looking after them, on the street, or living in their cars."
The councillor lamented "We have to get our heads out of our butts, we can't afford this."
While he agreed taxpayers can't handle this, Councillor Peter Secord looked at the stats in approving this, adding there are homeless camps near his house. "Page 11, on the report here... 31% domestic violence, up 18% sexual assault, child abuse 27%, road fatalities 41%, and homicides 87%??"
He added criminals cannot be allowed to keep doing what they do.
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