By Troy Gillard

SEEKING FAIRNESS AND EQUALITY

City council supports proposed changes to police funding model

Oct 15, 2019 | 7:09 PM

Red Deer city council is supporting, in principle, the province’s plan to have smaller communities in Alberta pay for policing.

Currently, communities with fewer than 5,000 people have their policing costs covered by the provincial government.

The Province of Alberta’s Police Costing Model Engagement report, which city council reviewed at their meeting on Tuesday, includes proposed changes to the police funding model that would require all municipalities, regardless of size, to begin paying for some frontline police services.

For several years, The City of Red Deer has advocated funding model to be phased in that is “fair and balanced” for all local governments in Alberta. Historically, larger municipalities, such as The City of Red Deer, have paid the majority of their municipal policing costs.

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“We know that crime knows no borders. With a more equitable funding formula, every municipality will begin sharing the responsibility of policing and community safety,” said Mayor Tara Veer.

“The City has advocated with Alberta Urban Municipalities Association for many years to address the historical inequity of who pays for policing costs and we will continue to work with all partners to address public safety.”

RELATED: Province assures rural municipalities will receive full police funding despite Opposition claims

(With file from media release)