As we continue to hear the pros and cons of amalgamation, my concern is the cost of our Central Saanich Police Service.
Central and North Saanich are rural, low crime areas similar in size.
Police costs in Central Saanich are almost double of North Saanich. The RCMP are in our municipality as well, as they are responsible for the First Nations communities.
In the past, there have been occasions when Central Saanich police made an arrest assisted by the RCMP.
Prior to the last municipal election, this was discussed with a prospective councillor. His response was “we can’t touch that, it’s an old boys club.”
End of conversation.
Don Rasmussen
Central Saanich
Editor’s Note: North Saanich shares its policing costs with the Town of Sidney for RCMP service.