Halifax community members gathered Dartmouthns, Monday night to give their opinion on the proposed police budget for the coming financial year.
A special meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners provided an opportunity for public consultation, resulting in a packed room and standing room only.
The Halifax Regional Police (HRP) is asking for a 6.8 percent budget increase, which would increase funding by $6 million – bringing the total to more than $95.2 million.
“The nature of crime is changing,” said HRP chief Dan Kinsella. “As a police service of our size and stature in the region, we need to be able to respond proactively and proactively to address, prevent and suppress crime using the best and most current tools available.”
Apparent blood stains, bullet holes, drug seizures: William Sandson’s trial enters second week
Singer and former ‘American Idol’ contestant CJ Harris dies at 31
Many had strong opinions in response to the proposed increase in funding.
HRM resident Hannah Wood said, “People asking for more money need to prove what they are going to do with it and prove what they have done with previous money.” “To show that that money will actually go where community members want it to go.”
HRM resident Lou Campbell talks about his firsthand experience with police violence.
Campbell said, “I’m literally scared to call the police, and I avoid doing that at all costs.” “I do not want my tax money to be used for violence and recklessness. And frankly, a complete incompetence with situations with any care or nuance.
Victoria Levac was also opposed to the budget increase and was one of many who cited it as ‘defunding the police’. report good It is the job of a subcommittee to define the lack of funds to the police.
Levack said, “The police are not here to protect, they are here to enforce the will of the elite.”
Halifax police funding report lists improvements, doesn’t include any specific budget cuts
Recession will be ‘deeper’ than previously thought, but job losses will be minimal: Deloitte
Joanne Hussey and Keisha Ryan from Dalhousie Legal Aid were also in attendance, expressing support for the recommendations in the defunding report and speaking out against the budget increase.
“Funds should be re-invested in civilian-only mental health crisis intervention teams with best practice,” Ryan said. “And used to increase per capita spending on housing.”
The concerns presented at the special meeting are some that board chair Becky Kent says will be considered – as there is still much to discuss before the budget is voted on.
Alleged leader of NS jail thrash involved in 2004 blood-soaked jail attack
Co-pilot of fatal Nepal plane crash tragically lost her pilot husband in 2006 air crash
“There’s a huge push for change, and our commission is in great support of change,” Kent said. “We have to do it in a timeline that is adaptable and we can still get policing services and players into the partnerships that are needed, and that takes time.”
The meeting ran longer than originally planned to ensure that all scheduled speakers had a chance to express their concerns.
The proposal to debate and decide on the budget was deferred to allow more public consultation to be available virtually in the coming weeks.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.