Tag Archives: Windsor Police

Nancy Atkinson Interview – Windsor Police Contract Renewal

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Nancy Atkinson answers questions about her presentation at the February 8, 2023 council meeting regarding the Windsor Police Contract Renewal.

the burg watch: Did you expect public consultations would be held prior to the decision to renew the Windsor Police Contract?

Nancy Atkinson: Yes and the fact that public consultation was to take place per initial agreement is stated in the report dated February 8, 2023 authored by CAO Valerie Critchley on page 4

the burg watch: What prompted you to attend the February 8 Council meeting?

Nancy Atkinson: I prefer to hear with my own ears the discussions leading up to very important decisions with regards to where our taxes are spent. Interpretations are not always fact.

the burg watch: You said you had lots of questions but you only asked one. Why?

Nancy Atkinson: As I was under the impression I was attending a Special Council meeting and not a public meeting as we had become accustomed to. Nowhere was it indicated that this was THE public meeting for input from the residents but rather just a Special Council Meeting. Since I had not submitted a deputation I limited my question to one. I also felt the decision had already been made and no matter what questions I would ask there was only one option open to us at this point in time. Surprisingly Councillor McArthur asked many of the questions on my list which should have at least led to a deferral until the March 31, 2023 expiry date with more pertinent questions asked to residents. They accepted a survey of a mere 300 residents as proof that residents were as Councillor McArthur put it satisfied with the status quo. Did they ask each of those 300 residents Have you had personal contact with the Windsor Police, Amherstburg Detachment before asking any other question? A minimum of double that number of residents weighed in at the original Public Meetings, the OPC hearing and in emails stating they were not in favour of the move.

the burg watch: During your presentation, you recalled the emphasis on Windsor Police Service’s specialized unit and wanted an explanation for the high statistics in one year.
Chief Bellaire acknowledged that you were correct in that the first year the Designated traffic officers in Amherstburg would have triggered that statistic to increase every time they put themselves out on a call. Were you satisfied with the Chief’s answer?

Nancy Atkinson: NO. They knew their statistics were wrong and used them anyway. WHY? We did not have 380 accidents requiring special investigation in 2019 in the town of Amherstburg. Nor did we have 375 incidents requiring the Investigative branch which covers fraud, arson, youth crime, auto theft in one year 2022 either. Anyone not knowing this and simply looking at this report at face value would presume these special units are necessary when in fact the lower more plausible stats prove otherwise. These numbers if used to prepare a new RFP COULD HAVE been costly to Amherstburg in looking at other policing options.

the burg watch: Are you impressed with the average annual savings of $348,000 highlighted during the meeting?

Nancy Atkinson: NO. Those pushing the Windsor Contract were adamant the savings would be $586,000 equivalent they said to $62.00 per household. Many offered to give them the $62.00 and keep the Amherstburg force a very strong indication they Did not want the change…. Mayor DiCarlo ignored them. So, NO 384,000 is not anywhere near adequate for what we lost. I BELIEVE an inventory of what was sent to Windsor should be made public, the true cost to switch to Windsor should have been in the current report and the cost to stay with Windsor should also have been in the report before any decision was made. If I hire someone to build me a house I don’t ask the price after I tell him to go ahead…..pretty simple.

the burg watch:: Were you surprised by the decision to renew the police contract?

Nancy Atkinson: Absolutely not. Residents who take the time to speak out in this town are not heard. Promises are not kept and decisions are not based on anything near common sense.

the burg watch: What would you like council to do before the June 30,2027 deadline to renew the second 5-year contract term?

Nancy Atkinson: Live up to the proposal and promise to the people of Amherstburg to put the savings from this move in the Police Reserves and not necessarily for our own Police Force 5 years from now when so much is needed now. But these funds belong in the police reserve and we do have current policing expenses such as benefits we cover, radios we are responsible for replacing, a building we own as well as the property it sits on that must be maintained at our expense. It would also remove our backs from against the proverbial wall where all our important decisions appear to be made.Under NO circumstance should it be used for the Fire Department.

the burg watch: Any other comments?

Nancy Atkinson: If we are to believe we can’t afford something as important as a community police model that goes into our schools, that worked with kids in the gym, that patrolled our Navy Yard Park on foot we CANNOT AFFORD nor should we be asking for 11 NEW HIRES no matter how sugar coated or rationalized it is especially since they are not actual workers in a department with the exception of a few labourers…. just more empire building.

The purpose of TAXES IS to provide services to a municipality. We have lost our Police Service, our Pool, ball diamonds, tennis courts, affordable sports for kids and YET NOT ONCE have our taxes gone down.

It takes $260,000 to raise taxes 1% and by the same token $260,000 to lower them. In order to have our own police department we are told it would cost us $384,000 over what we are paying now ….right since that is our savings…hmmm 1.5% increase. WHAT is the increase in asks in the current Budget????????

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Comparing Amherstburg To Other Municipalities: Police Requests For Information

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The OPP answered my questions without requiring a formal request.

When I requested two documents from Windsor Police, its FOI Coordinator advised me of the $5 fee for Municipal Freedom of Information and the Protection of Privacy Act requests; she quoted section 17(1)(c).

She did respond but stated any further requests should be in accordance with the Act; to submit my request and applicable fee by mail or by attending either Police Headquarters or Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment.  

She then responded to my access request, under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, for a copy of:

i)                    The Windsor Police Services Board diversity plan
ii)                   The Windsor Police Service accessibility policy

and denied access to the Windsor Police Service Board Diversity plan as the records do not exist.

Further, access is denied to Windsor Police Service Accessibility Policy as the information is contained within their Human Rights Directive, currently available on its website www.windsorpolice.ca

I assured the Coordinator that this was a simple request for records that i assumed would be publicly available in an organization committed to transparency and accountability to the public it serves. 

Comparing Amherstburg To Other Municipalities: ‘Missed opportunities’: Saanich park renovation excludes people with disabilities: advocate

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Does this sound familiar?

A park renovation has one Saanich mother frustrated about a lack of accessibility for people with disabilities in design processes for public amenities.

Read the full Vancouver island Free Daily article.

Comparing Amherstburg To Other Municipalities: Satisfied With Police Service

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I reached out to Essex County mayors of OPP policed municipalities and inquired if they have conducted any satisfaction surveys about policing in their communities.

Included in this post is the audio of Deputy Mayor Gibb’s February 8 comments; he mentioned that he spoke to other municipal leaders in the county and certain ones have said they’re not satisfied with the service they’re getting from the OPP. He also stated of those surveyed in Amherstburg almost 80% have a good opinion of the Windsor Police Amherstburg detachment.

Mayor Gary McNamara, Tecumseh, replied: We have held 3 overall surveys of all services we are doing another later this month. The average over the 3 surveys average in the high 80 percentile. I have no issue with our policing.

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Update: Deputy Mayor Gibb On Policing Options

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I edited the post, Deputy Mayor Gibb On Policing Options/Windsor Contract to include a follow up email to Deputy Mayor Gibb and his response, verbatim, set out below.

Also, he attached three financial documents and I added highlights to the sections he is referring to:

  1. Amherstburg Police
  2. OPP Essex Detachment
  3. OPP Kingsville Detachment

follow up question: you stated there’s a significant cost difference to the OPP of around $2 million a year; is that $2 million a year of savings or $2 million a year in higher costs?

response: I believe what I said is that it appears as if the OPP model of policing would be around $2 million per year less than our current WPD-Amherstburg Detachment policing model as per the attached 2022 budget documents.

Amherstburg’s net total cost of policing was pegged at around $5,397,437 (bottom right of Amherstburg police.pdf document)

Essex’s net total cost of policing was pegged at around $3,073,673 ($3,054,032 police + $19,641 police board)

Kingville’s net total cost of policing was pegged at around $3,391,714.

So, the OPP model for Essex and Kingsville appears to be around $2 million per year less than Amherstburg’s.

Listen to the audio.

Deputy Mayor Gibb On Policing Options/Windsor Contract

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At the February 8, 2023 Special Council Meeting, Mayor Prue asked if there were any further questions. Deputy Mayor Gibb said he didn’t really have a question, although his statement lasted approximately 4 minutes, some of which was repetitive and redundant.

He reiterated the purpose of the meeting: to determine if they were going to renew this contract and mentioned what happened in the past has happened; it’s done. Then he thought they had 4 options:

  1. restart our own police service, which he thought the cost would be overwhelming and noted the reserves that we were supposed to have put aside, aren’t there. Also, there are 10 months before the end of this contract.
  2. partner with LaSalle; he mentioned startup costs with that, LaSalle’s cost per resident is much higher and again, there are 10 months before the end of this contract.
  3. the OPP; there’s a significant cost difference to the OPP of around $2 million a year. Initially, he said the other municipal leaders have all said they’re not satisfied with, then stated he shouldn’t say they’ve all said, certain ones have said they’re not satisfied with the service they’re getting from the OPP. And again, there are 10 months before the end of this contract.
  4. renew the Windsor contract, which he didn’t think was a bad option because:
    • we’re saving money over what our own service would have cost;
    • the survey results from late 2022; 
    • his day job encounters with people who interact with the police
    • he’s never heard that they haven’t received exemplary service.
    • we don’t really have a choice at this point
    • he feels the Windsor police Amherstburg detachment does a great job protecting Amherstburg; they do it at a reasonable cost.

He felt they were going to have to vote to go with the recommendation and eventually moved to receive the report and go forward with renewing the Windsor police contract for the next five years. Carried.

Mayor Michael Prue acknowledged he snuck it in very very good.

Listen to the audio.

EDITED: I emailed Deputy Mayor Gibb with a follow up question: you stated there’s a significant cost difference to the OPP of around $2 million a year; is that $2 million a year of savings or $2 million a year in higher costs?

His response: I believe what I said is that it appears as if the OPP model of policing would be around $2 million per year less than our current WPD-Amherstburg Detachment policing model as per the attached 2022 budget documents.

Amherstburg’s net total cost of policing was pegged at around $5,397,437 (bottom right of Amherstburg police.pdf document)
Essex’s net total cost of policing was pegged at around $3,073,673 ($3,054,032 police + $19,641 police board)
Kingville’s net total cost of policing was pegged at around $3,391,714.
So, the OPP model for Essex and Kingsville appears to be around $2 million per year less than Amherstburg’s.

more to follow.

We Already Pay For Policing

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Heidi Baillargeon recommends ‘That Council APPROVE an over expenditure in the amount of $20,000 from the General Reserve Fund in order to cover the cost of this service’ in her report on today’s council meeting agenda: Subject: Safety at Admiral Hockey Games.

The town’s obligations regarding the provision of adequate and effective police services in accordance with its needs is set out in provincial legislation and the 20-year contract between the town of Amherstburg and Windsor.

(3) Every chief of police shall establish procedures and processes on community patrol which address when and where directed patrol is considered necessary or appropriate, based on such factors as crime, call and public disorder analysis, criminal intelligence and road safety.  O. Reg. 3/99, s. 4 (3)

If safety issues are affecting the community and amenities as mentioned in Baillargeon’s report to council, “This behavior has continued to escalate since last season with damage not only at the Libro but other Town facilities as well such as King Navy Yard Park and Toddy Jones Park washrooms where cameras were recently installed this spring,” should public consultations be held to determine if the community’s policing needs are being met?

The report mentions consultations with Windsor Police generally, but how many incidents were there? were charges laid? what was the result? what is included in the memorandum of understanding to be attached to paid duties? Did Windsor Police publish a report with its recommended actions after it conducted a site assessment, based on principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design like it did for the safety concerns at the skateboard park in October 2021? 

Mayor Aldo DiCarlo was quoted in a Windsor Star article, “Our goal was to try to ensure residents felt no difference … For those who were concerned about a drop in service level — That just didn’t happen. I would say that it appears we have improved service levels.” “The feedback I’ve been getting from residents is that it seems our officers are everywhere,” DiCarlo said.

One or more of the current council candidates has mentioned community safety. Maybe we do need meaningful public consultation.

Windsor Police Service Strategic Plan: Have your say

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From the Windsor Police Service Public News Update:

Over the coming weeks, the WPS will host in-person, one-on-one consultation sessions to offer residents an opportunity to provide input on the development of our strategic priorities and the future of policing in our community.

Town of Amherstburg

When: October 6, 2022, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Where: Libro Credit Union Centre (Essex Power Energy Zone Room), 3295 Meloche Road

Feedback collected through these sessions will be vital in shaping our policing priorities and lay the foundation for ongoing engagement with the community.

We thank you in advance for your participation in this important process. For more information on the process, please contact the Windsor Police Service at info@windsorpolice.ca.

Our 2020-2022 strategic plan is available on the WPS website​.

Reporter’s And Individual’s Requests For Information Compared

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How does a reporter’s experience compare to the average residential taxpayer where there may not be an incentive to quickly comply with requests for information?

Julie Kotsis, the Windsor Star, reported that Amherstburg CAO John Miceli responded to her email on Day 2.

My experience requesting information from the Town of Amherstburg and Windsor Police differs.

For example, information that should have been readily available required an almost two-year formal appeal process and an Order for the town to search for more records. Windsor Police objected to the disclosure of its Amherstburg policing proposal which resulted in a two-year wait for an Information and Privacy Commission Order to disclose all but two pages of the 131- page document.

Mayor DiCarlo advised the appropriate avenue was through a written inquiry sent to Windsor Police for information pertaining to the utilization of specialty units in the town of Amherstburg since the take-over.

Windsor Police referred me to the company that conducted its telephone survey, which did not respond. Back to Windsor Police who directed me to submit a Freedom of Information request.

Most recently, the town of Amherstburg insists it is fair to impose an $892.50 fee to complete a request for detailed information that the clerk and CAO publicly stated during a council meeting.

Over a year ago, I requested councillors consider creating a protocol to answer taxpayers’ and media inquiries. In response, the CAO advised the town is in the process of creating a Routine Disclosure and Active Dissemination Policy and, until adopted, requested that all information I seek be made through the formal process.

I repeated my request in April this year for council to adopt the Information and Privacy Commissioner recommended Routine Disclosure and Active Dissemination Policy, revised in 1998.

The town clerk advised COVID impacted services and only Councillor Prue supported it and reminded members of council that during the last election, they all said we need more openness and citizen involvement.

I wonder which will come first; a policy or more campaign promises to be open, transparent and accountable.

Commentary by Linda Saxon