Peel PSB Announces Five-Point Plan on Crime

(BRAMPTON)– Emil Kolb, Chair, Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board, today announced a five-point comprehensive plan to combat the increase in serious crime in the Region of Peel.

Mr. Kolb says the formation of the plan commenced earlier this year with a Strategic Planning Session held by the Board. It culminated with the appearance of Chief M. Metcalf, Peel Regional Police, at a special meeting held Thursday, October 16, 2008 at the Region of Peel to discuss the Peel homicide rate.

“The Board considered and endorsed this approach at its meeting on Friday, October 17, 2008,” says Mr. Kolb. “We believe the plan we’ve outlined provides for both short term measures, and more importantly, longer term initiatives to allow us to access the level of assistance and funding we need to contend with increasing needs in the Region.”

“Perhaps most importantly, it will engage our community, for as we heard last Thursday, the situation is complex; there are no easy solutions, and we all need to work together to maintain the safety and security of our Region.”

Mr. Kolb says the plan consists of the following:

• An increase of a minimum of 34 police officers in the 2009 police budget. If the province releases federal monies from the $400 million federal fund to hire new police officers, Mr. Kolb says the number of new police officers could increase to 45. Mr. Kolb stresses this is the Board’s recommendation and it is subject to approval by Regional Council.
• A request of the Board to Chief Metcalf to undertake an operational review to determine whether additional officers can be freed up for either preventative or front line duties. Mr. Kolb says both the Board and the Chief wish to determine whether there is an ability to provide additional resources to better target identified needs. Mr. Kolb says he hopes the review can be complete by December 31, 2008.
• The holding of a Community Summit on Safety and Security in the Region of Peel, hosted by the Board. Mr. Kolb says the Board held its first Community Summit in 1994, with a wide cross section of stakeholders endorsing 12 key recommendations. Mr. Kolb says it is time to host an updated session in partnership with other engaged groups and with even a wider range of participants to isolate the key issues and move forward with concrete recommendations.
• A concerted effort, along with policing, government and community partners, to identify and obtain provincial assistance and funding in areas of concern that extend beyond Regional borders. Mr. Kolb says a good example is the provincial STEP program, which has aided the Peel Regional Police through funding to target gang activities, but is scheduled to end March 31, 2009.
• A concerted effort, along with policing, government and community partners, to identify and obtain federal assistance and funding in areas specific to federal responsibilities. Mr. Kolb says an example would be to have the federal government offset the costs associated with court security for the trial of the alleged terrorists. The Board has already undertaken activity to commence with this initiative but will formalize and intensify its efforts.

‘The residents and workers in Peel are fortunate to have a very professional and dedicated police service in Peel,” says Mr. Kolb. “It’s part of the Board’s mandate and responsibility to work with the police, Regional Council and all our partners to ensure the police service gets the support and means it requires to do the job at hand. The people we serve expect and deserve nothing less.”

The Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board is the governing body for the Peel Regional Police, the second largest municipal police service in Ontario. The Board is comprised of seven individuals, three members of Regional Council, namely Chair Emil Kolb, Councillor Frank Dale of Mississauga and Mayor Susan Fennell of the City of Brampton. There are three provincial appointees, Vice-Chair Jim Murray, Ms. Cheryl Jamieson, and Mr. Satwinder Gosal. There is one appointee of a citizen by Regional Council who is Ms. Preet Kang.

For further information: Frederick Biro, Executive Director 905-458-1340.