SHELBURNE, N.S. – Town of Shelburne residents are being invited to weigh-in on the alternative policing services proposal that is being considered by town council that would see existing RCMP services replaced with a dedicated police service provide by the Bridgewater Police Service.
A policing services public information session is being hosted by the Town of Shelburne and Town of Bridgewater on Tuesday, Feb. 20 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Shelburne Community Center on King Street.
The Town of Bridgewater and Bridgewater Police Service were invited by Shelburne Town Council in Dec. 2016 to submit a proposal for an alternate policing contract for Shelburne town.
The proposal, which was presented to Shelburne Town Council on Jan. 8 would provide:
• 24/7 coverage, with 18-hours-a-day active patrol for the Town of Shelburne, and 6 hours on call with a 15-minute response;
• 4.5 constable positions would be created to provide staffing resources;
•Access to K-9 Unit as required, IT service, 24/7 Dispatch, Senior Management, GIS, Scene of Crime Officer, Records Management and other support services.
The Town of Shelburne would be responsible for providing capital items including a building/facility that would contain two sleeping facilities, washroom and kitchenette, one working desk, one secure interview room, a card scan unit, an intoximeter, and exhibit lockers.
The Town of Shelburne would also be responsible for providing policing equipment, including two patrol vehicles, one hand-held radar, a roadside screening device, two mobile work stations, two car radios, two portable radios, two cell phones, four side arms, and two Tasers.
The Bridgewater policing proposal would save the Town an estimated $100,000 a year. Currently, it costs the Town of Shelburne almost $737,000 for policing services.
The Town of Shelburne would be required to give two years notice to the RCMP should it decide to change police contracts. If a new contract is signed with the Town of Bridgewater, the change in service could take effect as early as the spring of 2020.
Town of Shelburne and Town of Bridgewater staff will be on hand at the public information session to provide details and answer questions about the proposal. All interested parties are invited to attend.
