OPP ends 2004 under budget

Local OPP detachment commander S/Sgt. Hugh Dennis delivered some welcome news to town council Monday night, reporting poling costs ended up under budget in 2004.
He noted the town had budgeted policing costs at $2,145,156 in 2004, with the actual costs turning out to be $1,967,812.
“We came in under budget by $177,000 and I’m very pleased about that,” said S/Sgt. Dennis.
“It came about as a result of staffing strategies we developed with the Police Services Board, and the participation of, and management of, members and investigations, particularly with overtime.”
He noted $77,000 was earmarked for overtime in 2004, but the actual cost ended up being just $51,000—a savings of $26,000.
“I’m very proud of the efforts of the supervisors and members of the detachment,” S/Sgt. Dennis told council. “We’re certainly aware of the costs and we try to give you the best bang for your buck.”
He also noted police have delivered 8,000 hours of service for the first quarter of 2005, with 731 hours of overtime, adding the overtime hours were a little high due to the investigation into the series of recent armed robberies in town.
He said $2,700 in revenues have been collected by police so far in 2005, compared to $2,800 at this time in 2004.
There’s been 79 Criminal Code charges in the first quarter, compared to 74 last year. Highway Traffic Act charges were up slightly (171 this year compared to 167 a year ago) while Liquor Licence Act violations were down (23 compared to 47).
Officers have responded to a total of 764 incidents so far in 2005, compared to 875 last year.
“But we’re still busy,” said S/Sgt. Dennis, adding officers not only have been delivering the D.A.R.E. program in classrooms and making their presence known at Fort Frances High School, but also have spent 842 hours doing directed patrols.
He explained directed patrols are those made in response to complaints by the public. For instance, if there’s speeding on a particular residential street, the public can report that and police will respond by patrolling that area.
“I want to assure council that when constituents report a problem, it will be dealt with,” S/Sgt. Dennis pledged.
Meanwhile, with S/Sgt. Hugh Dennis retiring as of June 30, town council wished him farewell Monday night with a few kind words.
“This is the first chance we’ve had to meet with you since reading the disappointing news in the newspaper recently that you plan to retire,” said Coun. Tannis Drysdale.
“I’d like to thank you for work here in Fort Frances.”
She noted she moved to Fort Frances as an adult and always has felt like police would respond quickly to any call—unlike in some other communities.
“I’m so proud of our police department here. That it’s integrated, that it’s working with the schools, working with the community, and it’s done so many things that are preventative to crime,” said Coun. Drysdale.
“It’s that kind of police force that comes from the kind of leadership you’ve offered us. Thank you.”
“Thank you and enjoy your retirement,” echoed Mayor Dan Onichuk.