More spending on police riles Ward 3 residents
For Coun. Andrew Stevens, police spending is the “most politically sensitive” part of the budget.
Judging by the reaction at his Tuesday town hall — the city ’s first public meeting on the 2018 budget proposal — he was right.
Stevens spoke to about 30 people gathered in a church hall in the Cathedral district. He said he would avoid “editorializing” as he presented the facts: the city proposes to spend $95 million on police operations and capital this year.
One man said he found that figure “stunning.”
The proposal would hike the city’s contribution to the Regina Police Service by three per cent. Bert Adena, a resident who criticized the “bluster” of police, said they should get no increase at all.
Those voices reflected the general mood at the meeting, which was pervaded with a deep mistrust of police and calls to invest in housing, mental health and other measures to prevent crime.
In the face of all that criticism, Coun. Lori Bresciani was the contrarian. She vaunted the “leadership” of Chief Evan Bray, and pointed out that many communities spend a far higher proportion of their budget on police.
“It’s very tough to say no to policing, and to fire,” she said. “These are people who are saving lives.”
But that didn’t fly with the crowd. The sharpest debate came over a proposed $350,000 outlay for a tactical rescue vehicle, intended to protect officers in armed standoffs and high-risk warrants.
“Why should Regina have their own armoured car?” Catherine Gibson asked.
“We’re going to live in a military zone,” said Florence Stratton.
Stevens said that was a legitimate concern. But he pointed out that the Regina Police Service faces delays in responding to dangerous situations, since it’s dependent on the RCMP’s armoured vehicle.
One man said he had seen an armoured vehicle in action close to his home.
“It was a tense situation,” he said. “I don’t mind if they can deal with that a bit more quickly rather than have a standoff of six hours.”
“And it keeps the officers safe,” a woman beside him added.
But the criticism continued. Adena argued that mental-health issues and addiction drive crime. He asked whether the budget will provide the means to address those problems.
“No,” Stevens said, adding that he would like to. Another resident said that’s the job of the healthcare system, an area of provincial, not municipal, jurisdiction.
But others argued for spending on affordable housing.
Council is unlikely to rewrite the whole budget on Feb. 27, when the proposal comes up for debate. Stevens said he can decide to vote for or against increased police spending — but he’s powerless to change the whole nature of policing in Regina.
Stevens explained that councillors play a limited role in preparing the budget proposal, which grows out of obscure processes within city administration. Again and again on Tuesday, he called for
It really is administration that crafts the budget and we vet it, if you will. I am not satisfied with that process.
more “collaboration.”
“We don’t craft this budget,” he said. “It’s not as collegial, it’s not as collective as it might seem.
“It really is administration that crafts the budget and we vet it, if you will. I am not satisfied with that process.”
Stratton suggested that’s just a way of shirking responsibility.
“You’re leading me to blame the administration for this budget, which I am not willing to do,” she said. “There are cities for example, that put money into affordable housing.”
Stevens said he’s not trying to cast blame, but only to explain how tough it is to get new ideas implemented.
Nonetheless, he plans to make amendments during debate on Feb. 27. He outlined his priorities: more spending on bike paths, better recreation facilities, a transit route to the airport.
He thanked everyone for coming to his town hall, and promised to bring their concerns forward.
“I believe that a city councillor should be listening to residents,” he said. “I should be learning along with you.”