A decision on whether the city will see an OPP satellite office downtown might be up to the next council.
That’s the recommendation from the Orillia Police Services Board.
During the board meeting Tuesday, members discussed a report that stated, “Concerns have been expressed that the location of the new detachment may potentially pose access issues for citizens.”
The province previously announced a new Orillia OPP detachment will be built in west Orillia. The current detachment, which is downtown, on Peter Street South, will be closed. The new detachment will not be built during this council's term.
Board members weren’t eager to see a dedicated satellite office with full-time staff.
“I question the need for a place (for people to) drop in,” Laurie Christensen said, noting there is public transportation that can take those who don’t drive to west Orillia.
Mike Winacott agreed, noting “the technology today” allows people the option of online reporting.
He suggested a kiosk with a hotline to the detachment, or an office that isn’t staffed full time but rather only when an officer is able to be there, would be worth considering.
Coun. Jeff Clark, who sits on the police services board, initially had concerns about a lack of OPP presence downtown once that building closes. He felt a satellite office would act “as a deterrent” to crime. However, he said he was pleased with the ideas discussed at the board meeting.
Coun. Ralph Cipolla, however, said it wasn’t good enough.
Cipolla, a former member of the police services board, championed the idea of having a satellite office downtown. He still wants to see it happen.
“I’d like to see an office manned from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” he said. “We need a safe place for people who can’t drive out to West Ridge.”
He noted the city has committed to residential growth in the downtown core, which he feels will increase the demand for a satellite office.
“It’s not the police board’s decision. It’s council’s decision,” he said. “I hope we all come to our senses and say we need police representation downtown.”
Moving the detachment to west Orillia will not take away from officers’ focus on the downtown, said Orillia OPP Insp. Veronica Eaton.
“I’m confident that the presence in the downtown core is not going to change,” she said.
The report, with the police services board’s recommendation, will be before council committee Feb. 5.
