On May 1 the Clifford community policing office will close.
Minto council stated in a press release the municipality has paid to rent a facility for the last 10 years and it has not been used by residents in recent years.
Inspector Scott Smith of the Wellington County OPP?Detachment advised, “Closure of the Clifford community policing office will not affect the level of service we provide; our presence in Clifford will not change. Rural policing is important and will continue to be so for the detachment.”
“We work closely with our OPP,’ said Mayor David Anderson. “With no change in this vital service, we are saving Minto taxpayers some money. It makes fiscal sense as residents do not use the facility and the OPP can more effectively do its work outside of the office.
“Should this change in the future, we will re-look at the need to have an office in Clifford.”
Residents will continue to be able to reach police services anywhere in Minto as they would throughout Ontario. For emergencies, 9-1-1 is the number to call, otherwise the OPP Communications Centre can be reached at 1-888-310-1122 for non-emergencies or for other information.
The OPP is currently reviewing its business plan and will be determining over the next few months its priorities for policing and how much time to contribute to each of these issues.
It will be looking to the community for this comment in guiding that process. The OPP is also always seeking auxiliary police members.
For more information on policing services in Wellington County, contact Inspector Scott Smith at 519-343-5770.
The Wellington County Police Services Board meeting minutes for January stated “the board advises the Town of Minto that the OPP will no longer be using the community police office in Clifford, due to the poor conditions of the building.”
That motion was recorded in the minutes as being moved by Warden Joanne Ross-Zuj and board member Jim Connell.
When asked about the different reasons cited for the closure, Police Services Board chair Lynda White said, “It was both. Conditions within the building were … less than ideal.” She added the interior of the building is very dark to work in.
As a result, officers were not using the building as well, and White indicated the board believes it was an expense that did not need to be continued.
In a telephone interview on March 19, Minto clerk and Chief Administrative Officer Marsha Paley said town representatives met with police officials the Monday prior with issues of the closure.
She added the first time the town met with police representatives, the reason cited for closure was that neither residents nor police officers were using the building.
During the second meeting, the condition of the building was mentioned, but also that “there was simply no need for the office.” Paley said, “In the end if no one is using it, then there is no need.”
