Feedback: Police Must Be More Visible
The first of five community meetings on policing didn’t produce any surprises but it did reinforce the call for change.
The meeting, yesterday in Parrsboro, brought about fifty people into the public discussion regarding response times, visibility, community involvement, community safety, security, and transparency and accountability.
Parrsboro resident Janet Stewart said, “The consultants hit on the main issues we’re facing and they all go hand in hand. If you can fix visibility it will fix response times.”
Stewart echoed the views of many others who want to see police in the community, actively part of the community.
Cumberland Mayor Murray Scott said, “There weren’t any surprises because it’s what we’ve been hearing since we were elected in 2020.”
The mayor said there was a clear message from the community about police visibility and seeing police vehicles and officers on the streets. He added, “It’s so basic to policing and places that are able to do that are successful.”
The second of the five sessions takes place next Thursday, September 15, at the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre in Springhill from 2 to 4 pm. That will be followed with public meetings on September 19 at the Pugwash Fire Department; the 26th in Upper Nappan and the final session September 27 from noon to 2 pm at the River Hebert community centre.
After the round of public meetings, the police services review committee will consider the information and any recommendations offered by the project consultants, Narrative Research of Halifax. The committee may elect to call for new proposals from service providers.
The mayor hopes the committee will submit a recommendation to council this fall.
Photo by Darrell Cole.
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