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5 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, October 16, 2009 Growing population strains existing police service own Servic Out-of-T e & ort p Air Continued from page 1 However, due to the fact 87 per cent of the operating budget funding goes to compensation, the ability for Halton Regional Police to bring in a funding request with no tax increase was diminished following a collective bargaining agreement struck between the board and the police union in the summer. That three-year agreement, which runs until Dec. 31, 2011, awarded wage increases of 9.2 per cent over three years to the service's more than 800 uniformed officers and civilian staff. There are only three non-unionized members of the Halton Regional Police Service -- the chief and the two deputy chiefs, who work on contracts. Of the extra $6.5 million needed for 2010, $3.7 million would cover increases in negotiated settlements, benefits and annualization costs, staff noted in the budget presentation. Another $1.4 million would be used to hire 23 extra staff, 20 of whom are frontline staff. Two units would receive most of the new workers. To meet provincially-legislated requirements for police staff to check on prisoners every 15 minutes, Halton's police service is moving the individual lock-ups it has in each district into a centralized lock-up in the new 20 division under construction in Oakville, according to staff. Six new civilian staff and two uniformed sergeants would be hired for that unit. The police service's domestic violence unit would receive two sergeants and four detective-constables. This unit was launched early this year. "Prior to the creation of the Domestic Violence unit, a patrol officer would spend an average of 20 hours investigating a domestic violence occurrence where charges were laid (10 hours with an arrest/process and 10 hours of follow-up and court time)," stated police spokesperson Janice Coffin in an e-mail following yester- day's presentation. "Now, by having these cases managed by specialized investigators within the Domestic Violence unit, it frees up the patrol constables who initially respond to these calls to return to their frontline duties." Halton Regional Police's ratios of both uniformed officers and staff to the general population are the lowest in the GTA and lower than the provincial averages, according to the budget presentation. Other statistics in the presentation showed: · Halton has the lowest violent and nonviolent severity indices in the GTA and much lower than provincial averages. · Criminal offences are projected to decrease six per cent this year and property crimes seven per cent. · Violent crimes are projected to rise two per cent, from 2,463 to 2,512. However, first half statistics included in a separate report on the board agenda show this year's rate of 257 violent crimes per 100,000 population is lower than the 2006 to 2008 average of 290. Despite those statistics, the amount of calls coming in for police assistance, and the subsequent workload of staff, is on the rise, Chief Gary Crowell told the board. Since 2006, Halton's population has risen approximately 9.2 per cent, according to Regional statistics. But the number of calls to Halton Regional Police has been more than double that -- an 18.8 per cent increase during the same time period, according to statistics in the budget presentation. Calls are projected to jump 10 per cent this year. Looking farther back, Halton's population has risen an estimated 28 per cent since 2001, while the amount of calls fielded by Halton Regional Police has increased 36.4 per cent. The police service doesn't break down call volumes into sub-groups to determine the reasons for calls, but it might have to be looked at year end, said Keith Moore, a senior planner with the Halton Regional Police, following the board meeting. OAKVILLE UNITED TAXI LOW AIRPORT RATES! Ask us about our low Airport Flat Rates! BUY LOCALLY SERVICE LOCALLY SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY Phone: (905) 825-8088 www.volvoofoakville.com · · · · · · · · · · · Airport Flat Rates GREEN! Out-of-Town Service Regular In-Town Service 10% Discount On Parcel Service GPS Computerized Dispatch Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles Corporate Accounts Welcome Airport Customer Wake-Up Service 10% Senior Discount - In Town More Than 70 Taxis In Our Fleet Gift Certificates Available GO AN EXPERIENCED TEAM YOU CAN DEPEND ON 24 HOUR · 7 DAYS A WEEK 905.338.0044m w w w. o a k v i l l e u n i t e d t a x i . c o PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS If you are interested in joining our team, please call 905-338-1762 SERVICE DEPARTMENT OPEN SATURDAYS