Board Meeting Highlights - November 7, 2018
Board Approves 2019 Police Budget
The Board approved the 2019 York Regional Police Operating Budget of $327.9 million, which is a 3.7 percent increase over the 2018 Budget and includes the addition of 53 police officers and civilian members to address population growth and intensification, continued sustainable and effective police services to the communities, increasing demands for service and cannabis enforcement. The 2019 Police Operating Budget continues to maintain the lowest policing cost per capita in Canada among comparable police services (with populations of over 1 million residents).
The Board also approved the 2019 York Regional Police Capital Budget of $33.5 million with a Capital Spend Authority of $62.5 million. The expenditures include $14.5 million for facilities, $8.6 million for vehicles, $5.9 million for information technology, $4.1 million for specialized equipment and $0.3 million for communication equipment. Financing for the capital budget is a combination of contributions from reserves, debenture proceeds repaid from development charges, debt reduction reserve funding, development charge collections and external funding.
The 2019 Police Budget will be tabled at Regional Council in January.
Results of Business Survey
As part of the 2020-2022 Business Planning process, York Regional Police conducted a survey of businesses across York Region. The response rate was 16 percent with 94 percent of survey respondents indicating they were either very or reasonably satisfied with York Regional Police’s overall service. Ninety-three percent strongly agreed or agreed that York Regional Police were fair, respectful, courteous, caring, competent and professional. The top three crime concerns of respondents were break-ins, property damage/graffiti and fraud/cyber fraud. Opportunities for improvement include increasing awareness of initiatives like Crime Stoppers, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and Crime Map Programs and encouraging the use of online reporting by business owners.
The feedback from the survey will assist in setting the goals and objectives in the Board’s 2020-2022 Business Plan for York Regional Police.
Semi-Annual Public Complaints Report
The Chief of Police reports to the Board on an annual and semi-annual basis with respect to public complaints. During the first half of 2018, 86 complaints were filed against York Regional Police officers compared to 77 during the same period in 2017. Sixteen (16) of those complaints remain under investigation. Thirty-nine (39) complaints were deemed to be not in the public interest, frivolous, or more appropriately dealt with under another Act or law; six complaints were unsubstantiated; 15 public complaints were withdrawn by the complainant; two complaints were resolved informally and one complaint did not fall under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Independent Police Review Director. The nature of the majority of complaints relates to police procedure. 2018 Semi-Annual Public Complaints Report
Yellow Brick House
The Board approved sponsorship in support of the Yellow Brick House Annual Gala to be held on March 1, 2019. The Yellow Brick House is a non-profit charitable organization that provides emergency shelter, counselling and supportive services to abused women and children.
Character Community
The Board approved sponsorship in support of the Character Community Foundation of York Region Annual “Leading with Character” Breakfast taking place November 27, 2018. The Character Community Foundation of York Region is committed to making York Region a Character Community by nurturing positive character attributes.
Inn From the Cold
The Board supported Inn From the Cold “2019 Coldest Night of the Year Walk for the Homeless” taking place February 23, 2019. Inn From the Cold is a non-profit charitable organization serving men and women who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless.
Next Police Services Board Meeting
Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Location: York Regional Police Headquarters, 47 Don Hillock Drive, Aurora, Ontario.
Media Contact: Mafalda Avellino, Executive Director, psb@yrp.ca or 1-877-464-9675 ext. 77906.
The Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board is a seven-member civilian Board that oversees and governs the York Regional Police and is comprised of one member as Head of Municipal Council, three members are appointed by resolution of Regional Council and three by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
Accessible formats or communication supports are available upon request.
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