Some in A’burg fear loss of small-town feel with new police service

Amherstburg residents — many fearing their quiet way of life is at stake — turned out by the dozens Wednesday to hear details of a proposal for Windsor to take over the town’s police duties.

Tom Miller, recently pulled over by an Amherstburg officer, said he’s worried about town identity.

“I would hate to see Amherstburg lose its identity and get swallowed by the big city,” he said.

“I like the small-town feeling and atmosphere that Windsor doesn’t have. Even being pulled over, the officer was so friendly it made me want to pay the ticket.”

The Windsor Police Service was the only one to respond when Amherstburg issued a request for proposals to contract out the town’s policing.

The town estimates the proposal from Windsor would save it nearly $600,000 a year in operating costs.

If the plan goes ahead, Amherstburg ’s chief and deputy chief positions would be eliminated. Town officials stressed Wednesday that all other current Amherstburg police employees would remain on the job and continue working in the town unless they choose to transfer or apply for promotions.

A town committee is expected to bring a recommendation to council in February. Before that happens, the town is holding a series of public consultations.

At the first meeting Wednesday night, it was standing-room only in town council chambers with the crowd spilling into the lobby.

Along with Amherstburg officials, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, Windsor police Chief Al Frederick, deputy chief Vince Power and Staff Sgt. Ron LeClair attended the meeting.

They heard one resident after another speak, mostly in opposition to the proposal.

“This is a change that should be resisted at the present time,” said Denise Bondy. “If it isn’t broken, why fix it?”

Bondy, like several others, said the decision should go to the ballot.

“It’s an election year,” she said. “Could we take a little time? Could we let the people of Amherstburg vote?”

Susan Monaghan said the cost savings is not enough to make up for what she believed the town would trade off.

“Our local police service will become part of a larger bureaucracy,” she said. “So we will lose, in my humble opinion, a certain amount of accountability.”

Frederick said fears of losing Amherstburg’s identity are unwarranted.

“You will not lose that small town feel,” he said. “The things that you’re most proud of in your community will remain and, in fact, it may even be enhanced. The face of the Amherstburg police service isn’t going to change.”

The next public meeting will be Thursday at the McGregor Knights of Columbus at 6 p.m. Meetings are also scheduled for Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. at St. Peter’s school and Jan. 27 at the Libro Centre at 11 a.m.