The Mayor of Amherstburg feels that the town’s options for policing are dwindling.
Michael Prue believes the town will have to decide between contracting the Ontario Provincial Police or the LaSalle Police Service to patrol their streets after hopes for a regional police force fizzled out on Wednesday evening.
Essex County Council debated a motion from Prue to examine the feasibility of a county-wide service, or an option allowing municipalities to opt-in or out opt-out of a regional force.
“Well, I had hoped that there would be a good deal more empathy shown to us,” Prue said after the meeting.
Members around the table voiced concerns over the potential cost of launching their own police force.
Prue pleaded with councillors to consider the matter as Amherstburg works to sort out the future of the town’s policing after the City of Windsor announced it would terminate their contract.
Before it could be voted on, Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy suggested a notice of motion to have staff provide a cost estimate report for engaging a consultant to conduct a feasibility study.
“I don’t want to slam the door shut, I just want to leave it open just a little bit,” Bondy told council.
Council will have to wait until the next meeting to debate the motion.
However, Prue felt the response from members on Wednesday already provided the answer.
“I will support it, but I don’t think there’s any support around the table for that either,” Prue said.
Currently, the OPP provides service for the municipalities of Kingsville, Essex, Leamington, Lakeshore and Tecumseh.
LaSalle operates its own police force, which Prue said is high on his list of potential policing solutions. However, LaSalle Crystal Meloche said it will largely depend on the type of service Amherstburg wants.
“Is the cost of service the number one thing? And if it is then I would say we probably won’t consider a conversation further because the numbers for policing LaSalle are out there,” Meloche said.
“So, if you’re looking for the lowest number or the most competitive, it wouldn’t be us.”
For Prue, the option of continuing service through Windsor seems extremely unlikely.
As it stands, Amherstburg’s policing contract with the Windsor Police Service will come to an end after Dec. 31, 2028.
The next Essex County Council meeting is scheduled for April 16.
