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In February RCMP Inspector Tim Walton for Comox Valley called for increasing staff by four constables and one support person.
Reasons given included: last increase was in 2011, Courtenay constables have the fifth highest workload per RCMP for municipalities of its size in B.C. Courtenay's policing costs are among the he cheapest per person in the province and there are increased calls for service since 2007.
By region a rural taxpayer pays about $ 50 per year, in Comox $ 94 and in Courtenay over $ 200.
Generally in BC using the RCMP is cheaper than a city having their own police service. Annual per capita costs in Vancouver are $ 422, who have their own police, and Mission (contract for RCMP) $ 274 and North Vancouver (RCMP) $ 185.
Factors such as employment and poverty are important in determining crime levels. Also, what is the level of trust and confidence by the community towards the police? These are less specific in assessing how effective the local policing is. Community support and involvement can make the policing more effective. RCMP contracts include federal funding/subsidization to over hundreds of municipalities and smaller communities that are 10 per cent and 30 per cent if under 15,000 population. If part of the local request for additional officers can be allocated to rural communities the cost will be more attractive.
Given the above I suggest the Regional District as well as Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland give consideration to the additional staff request but phase it in over a 4 year period: a support staff and officer in the first year plus one additional officer in each of the following three years. By phasing it in this way it will be easier on the taxpayer.
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