Summertime OPP detachment being thought-about in Grand Bend

CTV Information London has discovered the push to return a full-scale OPP detachment to Grand Bend, Ont. has been mentioned on the highest ranges of Queens Park and police administration.

Doug Prepare dinner, the mayor of Lambton Shores, confirms he met with the solicitor-general and the commissioner of the OPP final month.

“The OPP commissioner was very responsive, and I believe that’s what they’re on the lookout for now. They need to do one thing for a detachment in Grand Bend,” Prepare dinner said.

The push to reopen a full detachment in Grand Bend comes within the wake of rising violence, together with a murder final spring.

Grand Bend is at present coated by additional officers on extra time through the summer time months.

In a current deal with to Warwick Township Council, the detachment commander for Lambton County OPP expressed his issues.

Doug Prepare dinner, the Mayor of Lambton Shores. (Sean Irvine/CTV Information London)

In every of the previous 5 years, inspector Chris Avery mentioned there was a ten per cent improve in policing calls to the Grand Bend Ipperwash seashores.

He mentioned a part of the leap will be attributed to extra individuals coming from the GTA.

Whereas most are welcome, Avery added some guests are posing issues.

“So if we have now rival avenue gangs coming, they’ll be strolling down one facet of the road, and the opposite group might be coming from the opposite facet. That may be a explanation for some battle and violence,” mentioned Avery.

But, a councillor for Grand Bend shouldn’t be so positive.

“Information to me,” mentioned Glen Baillie when requested about gangs.

Nonetheless, Baillie, who doesn’t but help the return of a full-scale detachment, acknowledged policing wants in Grand Bend are altering.

Baillie added, “That is just about a traditional neighborhood till you recover from 30 levels, then you definitely want extra [police] that hold us all protected.”

Glen Baillie, a Grand Bend Councilor of Lambton Shores. (Sean Irvine/CTV London)

The creation of a brand new summertime detachment could profit each police and the municipality.

Presently, the additional officers introduced in are paid for by Lambton Shores’ taxpayers.

“We paid about $225,000 in policing prices final 12 months by our finances. That’s a giant quantity for our small neighborhood,” Prepare dinner confirmed.

If Avery’s efforts are any indication, the street to a full-scale detachment could possibly be a protracted one.

“I’ve repeatedly requested for a summer time detachment and that has not been granted to me,” Avery instructed Warwick Township Council.

Prepare dinner stays hopeful a Grand Bend summer time detachment could possibly be a actuality by 2024. He mentioned, if accepted, officers’ numbers would “triple.”