City of Red Deer considering future with RCMP.. Police Review on Tuesday

From The City of Red Deer

City Council to discuss Police Review on Tuesday

City Council will discuss the Police Review at a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 beginning at 9:30 a.m.

In November 2018, City Council directed Administration to undertake an independent review of policing services in Red Deer. The review is comprised of two parts, a Governance Review that identifies the opportunities and challenges with various policing operating models, as well as a Service Review with recommendations on enhancing services with the existing RCMP contract.

“The Police Review provides a comprehensive and independent look at delivery options for policing services in Red Deer,” said Paul Goranson, Director of Protective Services. “The report does not make a recommendation on a preferred model but identifies opportunities and challenges with either option.”

As part of the Service Review, Red Deer was compared to other cities with either RCMP contracts or their own municipal police service. The report shows that the cost of policing in Red Deer is comparable to other similar sized cities, while the Red Deer detachment has higher caseloads per full time equivalent employee.

“The Service Review makes eight recommendations to enhance services currently provided, however further study is required before implementation,” said Goranson.

The budget for the Police Review was approved at $200,000.

For more information, review the following Q & A.

Police Review: Service Review and Governance Review

In November 2018, City Council directed Administration to undertake an independent review of policing services for Red Deer. The review comprises of two parts, a Governance Review that identifies the opportunities and challenges with various policing operating models, as well as a macro Service Review with service recommendations for the existing model with the RCMP contract.

Governance Review:

What policing operating models were evaluated as part of the Governance Review?The review looks at police governance options highlighting the opportunities and challenges with the existing RCMP contract and a Municipal Police Service.
At the onset of the review, additional governance options were considered. These included a hybrid model and a regionally-shared police service, however both were removed as standalone options in June 2019. The regionally-shared police service was considered a future expansion of a Municipal Police Service, and the hybrid option was not materially different than the contract with the RCMP or a Municipal Police Service.

Both the RCMP contract and the Municipal Police Service offer opportunities for hybrid policing through tiered policing and obtaining other specialized services from other police services.
How were the models evaluated under the Governance Review?City Council identified three categories to be considered for evaluation: governance and oversight, operating and capital costs, and operations management. Each model (both the contract with RCMP and the Municipal Police Service) were evaluated with this criteria.
Does the Governance Review make a recommendation in favour of one model?No, the Governance Review does not recommend one model over another. The report identifies challenges and opportunities with both models.
For example, under governance and oversight, the report indicates that The City of Red Deer, through a police commission could have greater local control over operational priorities with a Municipal Police Service. However, under the RCMP model, The City has significantly less risk and liability.

For operating and capital costs, The City, with the RCMP model, currently receives a 10 per cent federal subsidy. If a Municipal Police Service was established, the subsidy would be eliminated and there would be one time transition costs as well as a higher ongoing operating cost.

Under operations management, the RCMP model allows for access to specialized units, training and additional resources. With a Municipal Police Service, these services would be provided internally or through agreements with other police services.

4. What are the cost differences between the two policing models?

The RCMP operating costs are projected to be $43,755,000 in 2023. A Municipal Police Service operating costs are projected to be $50,899,000 with transition costs projected at approximately $13,583,000. These numbers are estimates only and could change based on a variety of factors.

Service Review:

How does Red Deer compare to other detachments?The cost of policing in Red Deer is comparable to other similar sized cities, however the Red Deer detachment has higher caseloads per full time equivalent employee. Red Deer budgets for 171 RCMP members, which are complemented by approximately 100 City employees with duties that range from traffic and bylaw enforcement, public services, policing support, records management, dispatching calls, and crime analytics.
A customer satisfaction survey was included as part of the Service Review, what were the results?In spring 2019, customers who either visited the detachment in person or called the police non- emergency line were asked to participate in a short survey about their satisfaction. Participants were asking for services, such as criminal record checks, police certificate or to report a crime. Overall, 92 per cent of respondents indicated that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the services received.
What recommendations were made as part of the Service Review?The consultant identified the following opportunities to consider as ways to enhance services provided under the RCMP contract:
-  Expansion of a tiered policing model to manage labour and associated personnel costs
-  Alternative service delivery for police checks and collision reporting
-  Use of technologies to increase the efficiency of officers
-  Achieve full complement of planned officers or reallocate funding to other policing priorities
-  Greater use of community policing and investment in prevention
-  Expanded use of intelligence led policing
-  Establishment of service level standards
-  Monitoring and reporting of service level performance to counter perceptions and drive improvements

Further study is required prior to implementation of some of the above opportunities.

Related Topics:City of Red Deer feature Red Deer RCMP

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Over 25 Canadian cities support initiative designating December as Christian Heritage Month

Published on November 5, 2024

Todayville

From LifeSiteNews

By Anthony Murdoch

Major cities that have signed on include Ajax, Durham, Sudbury, Mississauga, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls in Ontario, Alberta municipalities Red Deer and Okotoks, and Regina and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan. In British Columbia, Whistler and Prince George have also signed the petition.

More than 25 Canadian municipalities signed onto a proclamation declaring December as “Christian Heritage Month.”

The proclamation also asks provinces to take the initiative to declare the last month of the year in recognition of Christianity as an important part of Canadian heritage given the fact other faiths have special months of their own.

Major cities that have signed on include Ajax, Durham, Sudbury, Mississauga, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls in Ontario, Alberta municipalities Red Deer and Okotoks, and Regina and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan. In British Columbia, Whistler and Prince George have also signed the petition.

All of the cities have pledged to bring forth legislation that enshrines December as Christian Heritage Month into local law. Many have already done so.

The move by Canadian cities comes after the federal government and provincial governments have yet to proclaim December as Chrisitan Heritage Month.

According to the Christian Heritage Month Initiative, its mission is to have December “declared as Christian Heritage Month, recognizing the values of love, service, and compassion that define the Christian community.”

“The Christian Heritage Month Initiative is a dynamic, multi-denominational movement dedicated to celebrating the vibrant cultural, social, and artistic contributions of Canada’s Christian community,” the initiative says.

The initiative is under the leadership of Jay and Molly Banerjei, who are behind the Christian Music Festival. The organization says that the initiative “unites diverse voices and fosters a sense of belonging, enriching our nation’s identity and promoting inclusivity for all.”

Looking at Mississauga’s recent council motion that designates December as Christian Heritage Month, councillors have said its province under Premier Doug Ford should do the same.

It reads that Christianity is among the “diverse faiths followed by Mississauga residents and one of the most followed religions in Canada and Mississauga. Christians have made valuable contributions to the cultural, social, religious, and humanitarian fabric of our city and have played an important role in shaping our diverse community.”

The Mississauga motion also makes a point that December is “marked by significant events and celebrations in the Christian calendar, commencing with the observance of Advent and culminating in the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, which is also known as Christmas.”

“Christian organizations and places of worship in Mississauga offer religious services, unique events, and initiatives that highlight a strong Christian heritage during the month of December,” and it’s “also widely associated with the tradition of gift giving and the gathering of family, friends, and people of all faiths, during the Christmas season,” its councillors wrote.

“Recognizing the month of December, which is a significant month in the Christian calendar, as Christian Heritage Month provides an opportunity for all residents to celebrate the history, traditions, and teachings of the Christian faith, promoting understanding and appreciation of the diverse religious and cultural heritage of our city.”

Canada is historically a nation founded on Christian ideals and principles. European settlers who came to Canada from France and then later from what is the modern-day United Kingdom were Christian and included missionaries who tried to spread the faith to the local Indigenous populations.

Canada has observed Christmas since 1641, well before its official founding, according to some historical records.

As reported by LifeSiteNews, Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) MPs have urged all Canadians to support a petition that calls on the federal government to proclaim December as “Christian Heritage Month.”

Last year, CPC MP Marilyn Gladu introduced a Private Member’s Bill C-369 that would designate December as “Christian Heritage Month,” saying this is only the “fair and right” thing to do.

The bill reads that “In the negotiations that brought about Confederation, Canada was originally named ‘Dominion of Canada,’ a name reportedly inspired by the passage in the Bible (King James Version) at Psalm 72:8, which says, ‘He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.’”

The bill states that December in Canada marks “significant events and celebrations in the Christian calendar, from the beginning of Advent to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ; And whereas, according to Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census of Population, Christianity is the largest religion in Canada, with over half of Canadians identifying as Christian.”

City of Red Deer

City Council looking for options to reduce hundreds of encampments

Published on September 14, 2024

City of Red Deer

New actions for response to urban encampments being considered by City Council

New actions for The City’s response to urban encampments will be considered by Council on Monday, with a focus on interim and long-term solutions to homelessness. The proposed actions include everything from maintaining a balanced mitigation strategy to exploring interim housing solutions.

The report comes in response to Councillor Lee’s Notice of Motion re: Urban Encampment Responses that Council approved during the 2024 budget debate. The report reviews the past five years of data, analyzes service levels, and evaluates Corporate Administrative Policy 3141C – Urban Encampment Response. The key recommendations in the report focus on providing a balanced approach to mitigating the effects of encampments while working towards long-term solutions for homelessness. These recommendations include:

Consistent Mitigation: Maintain The City’s current approach to encampment responses, ensuring the most balanced mitigation strategy available at this time to protect public lands while supporting vulnerable individuals.
Advocacy for Shelter Strategy: Council will continue to advocate to the Government of Alberta for a comprehensive shelter strategy, including the development of a low-barrier 24/7 emergency shelter with a Recovery-Oriented System of Care.
Review of Transitional Housing: Request that the Housing and Homelessness Integrated Committee (HHIC) review the potential for new transitional housing infrastructure as an interim solution to support individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

“The City’s current policy is still achieving its target of having sites cleaned within 14 days. Despite a substantial increase in encampments, responses have continued to be increasingly efficient, largely due to enhanced relationships and experience levels,” said Jodi Kelloway, Acting Superintendent, Social Wellness and Integration Supports. “In recent months, we have seen a significant rise in the number of people experiencing homelessness, with shelters operating at or near capacity. Many individuals living in encampments have limited or no alternative options available. It is important that we continue to improve our response while building capacity within the housing continuum that considers current realities and the unique needs of community members who are unsheltered. The actions we propose in today’s report are about building and expanding on what we already do.”

Under the current policy, The City has a level of service that urban encampments, debris, and belongings are to be removed within 14 days of an initial report, 90 per cent of the time. While The City’s current response to urban encampments is effective, with 98 per cent of camps being cleaned up within 14 days, the number of encampments continues to rise. In 2023 alone, 881 encampments were dismantled, with a projected overall increase of 75 per cent by the end of 2024.

Costs related to encampment clean-up have reached approximately $2.87 million over the last five years, shared among several City departments, including Parks, Public Works, and Emergency Services. Despite increased efficiency, the growing number of encampments presents ongoing challenges and concerns.

The City’s Encampment Assertive Outreach team continues to engage individuals living in encampments, providing referrals to social and housing services. However, the report notes that many individuals face barriers to accessing shelter due to personal circumstances, such as the need for privacy, the ability to be with their partners, accommodation for pets or possessions, highlighting the ongoing need for tailored solutions.

Councillor Lee’s January 8, 2024, Notice of Motion called for administration to consider the following:

Reducing the time to dismantle encampments.
Preventing establishment of encampments.
Connecting rough sleepers with social supports and understanding overall community shelter capacity.
Develop recommendations for individuals setting up or using encampments to encourage them to seek alternative shelter.
How much money The City has spent on the cleanup of encampments over the past five years, and how much subsidy, if any, has been provided by other levels of government.
Including the continuum of housing that is currently available in Red Deer and what is needed.
That Administration report to council on the progress of the review of Corporate Administrative Policy 3141C – Urban Encampment Response”.

“The City of Red Deer is committed to supporting the health and safety of those sleeping rough, citizens who are enjoying parks, trails and public spaces, and staff responding to encampments,” said City Manager Tara Lodewyk. “Unfortunately, urban encampment work is a very short-term solution to a very complex health, housing, and public safety need in our community. The ability to reduce homelessness in Red Deer is significantly impacted by the lack of affordable and supportive housing supply. Until this is resolved, we will continue in this cycle of clean up.”

More detailed information is available in the City Council report located on the Council Meetings and Schedule page.