News by Valorie Lennox The Review Whether five, six or seven constables should be patrolling North Saanich is a North Saanich council decision under a new RCMP policing contract, which takes effect next April 1. The contract gives local munici- palities more control over policing but also increases the cost to the municipality. RCMP finance section inspector John Henley said police recom- mend increasing the North Saa- nich allotment to seven constables from the present five members. Seven constables will cost the municipality an estimated $389,300 annually. Five consta- bles will cost North Saanich an estimated $278,000. North Saanich will also have to pay for municipal clerical staff working in the detachment and will have to pay towards the cost of accommodation for the police detachment. At present the combined Sid- ney-North Saanich detachment is housed in a section of the Sidney municipal hall — quarters which Staff Sgt. Jim Wilson described as “totally inadequate.” Box not with Inlet society Central Saanich Ald. Arlene Box is not a member of the Saanich Inlet Protection Society, after filing a formal letter of resig- nation early last year, contrary to what was published in last week’s edition of The Review. Box said she resigned as presi- dent of the society because she saw a potential conflict between that position while considering the review of the Central Saanich official community plan, the planned drafting of a local area plan for Brentwood Bay and con- sideration of a development pro- posal for the Tod Inlet area. “J have been very particular about this issue,” Box said. “I cannot fairly belong to the organi- zation.” Box was very active in the society’s efforts to have the Inlet declared a national marine park. The Inlet society is now led by retired navy Capt. Bob Peers. “I’m not lobbying outside of council chambers,” Box said. “If someone could find an area I’ve neglected I would be happy to address it.” When Box saw the potential conflict developing regarding the society’s goals and council’s man- date, she said “‘I knew I either had to step back from discussion or resign from the organization. “We had quite a discussion because people begged me to stay,’ Box said. “It was hard to resign but I felt it necessary. I feel everybody has to search their con- science at all times.” Mayor Maurice Chazottes noted North Saanich will now have to negotiate with Sidney to pay a share of the accommodation cost for the detachment. North Saanich will also pay all costs for a projected one and one-half clerical positions. For the 1991-92 policing con- tract, North Saanich budgeted $373,900 inclusive. North Saanich treasurer Ralph Gillis estimates police costs will increase up to 20 per cent for 1992-93. “I think that’s a conservative estimate,’ administrator Ron O’Genski said. “The decision rests with council as to what the number of officers will be.” The cost per officer is $77,240 annually. Henley said negotiations between police and the municipal- ity would determine the level of policing. “T certainly cannot see this divi- sion forcing you to take more officers than you feel you can afford.” Now working out of the Sidney detachment are three provincial positions, one federal position for aboriginal policing, five for North Saanich municipal policing and 11 for Sidney municipal policing. Although the positions are designated, the shared detachment allows officers to be sent where they are required, Henley said. The arrangement especially benefits small detachments like North Saanich and Sidney. For example, a separate detach- ment in North Saanich would require nine officers to provide the same service as can be provided by seven officers in the combined detachment, RCMP Sgt. Gary Reid told council members. Under the previous contract, the policing level was set by the prov- ince and police. Now the level will be set by the municipality, Reid explained. The present level of five officers was based on a rural community, Reid said, adding that the area has become more urban. Chazottes said North Saanich and Sidney had applied to the provincial Attorney-General to have the Victoria airport detach- ment made available for commun- ity policing, Reid said the airport officers work for the federal government so are not expected to do community police work. However, the officers would probably assist in a local emergency, he said. Ald. Bill Gordon said he was concerned about the number of new recruits recently added to the detachment. Wilson said four to five mem- bers of the 20-member detachment are new recruits. However, he said it is difficult to attract experienced police officers with families to the south island because the high price of housing makes it difficult for them to buy homes. As a result, it is easier for the detachment to obtain new recruits, who may not yet have families and do not need to buy homes. Superintendent Dick Waller, who oversees RCMP detachments on the entire south Island, con- firmed the higher cost-of-living on the Island keeps experienced offi- cers from coming to the area. However, he said the RCMP has also recently experienced a large influx of recruits to correct a manpower shortage and many detachments now have an increased allocation of new offi- cers. “T think this is a phase we're going through.” He told council some officers may be reassigned to decrease the percentage of new recruits in the Sidney-North Saa- nich detachment. Asked about the cost of provid- ing police service to the ferry terminal, Wilson said the use of highways staff to direct terminal line-ups and two full-time security officers at the terminal had cut policing at Swartz Bay. The terminal now requires no more policing than any other busi- ness on the Peninsula, he said. Ald. Ross Imrie, who chairs the municipality’s budget committee, said North Saanich will need to know the projected accommoda- tion costs and clerical costs before making a decision on the policing contract. Breast of Chicken Sandwich A boneless breast is lightly grilled { LEGENDARY COUNTRY DINING | Luncheon Tues. - Fri. 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