—~ BD aa) Opinion Volume 80 Issue No. 20 TheReview Wednesday, May 13,1992 — AG WOU Ty) WAY | a if Police consolidation: Logical step for Peninsula alone In a recent issue of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce newsletter, News and Views, former Victoria police chief Bill Snowden predicts that some sort of consolidation of police services is inevitable for the law enforcement community in Greater Victoria. -His vision is for the creation of the Greater Victoria Police Services, which would incorporate police departments from all of Greater Victoria’s municipalities. Snowden’s idea is not a new one. One of the strongest arguments in favor is lower costs for municipalities. For the Peninsula municipalities, the cost of police services is a significant portion of overall expenditures and this year was no different, despite the ability municipalities have to negotiate their own RCMP contracts. Snowden makes a good case for formation of the Greater Victoria Police Services. It could be the best thing to happen for policing Greater Victoria’s four-core urban areas of Oak Bay, Victoria, Saanich and Esquimalt. But the Peninsula is different because, generally, it is not an urban area. It is not logical for Peninsula police departments to send officers downtown to handle a volatile situation and it doesn’t make sense for our police forces to become part of Greater Victoria Police Services. But creation of one Peninsula police force is logical, particularly because of unequal police services now received by residents in different parts of the Peninsula. Currently, North Saanich is not receiving the level of police services it deserves. RCMP officers are faced with additional responsibility by the need to respond to calls from unincor- porated areas like Willis Point, a 25-minute drive away. The problem is compounded because the national police force is also responsible for policing four native Indian reserves. Two of them, belonging to the Tsawout and TSartlip bands, are surrounded by Central Saanich municipality. Although the RCMP is “the best deal in town,” with the lowest cost per capita, that will likely change in coming years. The RCMP facilities in Sidney are sadly lacking, despite a refurbishment after a recent fire. One senior Peninsula officer said recently that: “Residents in Sidney and North Saanich should be ashamed of the accommodation they are providing their policemen with.” North Saanich council would like to see more community police programs provided with an emphasis on crime prevention. Council members approved funding for one more officer in 1992 and one more in 1993, plus funding for a community liaison officer’s supplies. But the fact remains that North Saanich is understaffed in terms of officers to population with a 1/1,000 ratio. On the other hand, residents in Central Saanich enjoy a police department with a 1/790 ratio (in 1990). Central Saanich also has a state-of-the-art communications system that is already used for dispatch services by all three Peninsula fire departments. el Mii ss T THINK We've Foune A GOLDMINE-.. THE CLOSER WE GET To THE FERRY TERMINAL, THE HIGHER TRE Sreeps' us f A, neV/ ole A) THE FERRY WAS SCHEDULED Te ‘ LEAVE FouR MINUTES AGo... BUT MAYBE IT'S RUNNING CATE... So IF T HURRY... BUT MAYBE THERE'S J ONLY ROOM For ONE MoRE CAR, { AND THIS GUY COMING UP BEHIND ME MIGHT GET THAT... So I BETER HURRY EVEN MORE... \oo Emh OUGHT To DO IT... BUT MAYBE MY JY SPEEDOMETER'S OFF, SO. MAE IT Ito yast To BE SAFE... 5 st Pro Pats help MS Editor: The veterans of Pro Patria Num- ber 31 Branch have been wonder- fully supportive of those with multiple sclerosis in this commun- ity. Thanks to their annual Variety Show, staged last week, the Van- couver Island Multiple Sclerosis Society has received another sub- stantial donation to help maintain its Services. The Pro Pat’s hard work and the generosity of all those who pur- chased tickets to the show are deeply appreciated. H. Paul McKivett President Vancouver Island Multiple Sclerosis Society Showcase renews moments it takes to read, remind us that there are a great many people out there — young and old alike — who are doing some very positive things together! Thank you, Sidney School. Florence Roberts Sidney Marina was part of community Editor: In the recent issue of The Review I was saddened and angered to read yet another condescending article about the Gilbert’s Marina take over which also failed to point out some of the interesting and positive aspects of its history. When Harold Lacy and Bruce Grant took over the marina from Jim Gilbert 20-odd years ago, fish were abundant in the bay and sport Peninsula Update ’92 article, page 8 (Facelift at Cootes after takeover, April 29). “Lacey” should read “Lacy.” J. Hemminger Brentwood Bay Councils can limit growth Editor: The ever-increasing demand for more housing in the CRD and particularly on the Saanich Penin- sula makes it imperative that resi- dents understand how density can and must be controlled. Many simply throw up their hands in despair in the belief that... if people want to be here there is absolutely nothing that can be done and we must simply plan to — accommodate them. Unfortunately this canard has Although amalgamating a municipal department and a hope for our youth fishing’s regulations much less 4.2, spread by some prominent federal department as one may seem like a difficult task, as a severe. people including, reportedly, by a Editor: A guide party was rarely : 3 slow transition it could become easy. We suggest that municipal councils consider preparing an action plan to start the process toward better police services for all of the Peninsula through the creation of one Peninsula police force. Doing so could be a very significant first step toward an overall reduction in the duplication of other services currently controlled by three municipalities. The Review Serving the Saanich Peninsula Since 1912 9726 - First St. P.O. Box 2070 Sidney, B.C. V8L3C9 __ Sidney, B.C. V8L3S5 656-1151 Publisher: Rory McGrath Editor: Glenn Werkman Reporters: Valorie Lennox Advertising: Corrie Morozoff John Gelder Production Manager: Tamie Sargeant Office Manager: Lori Fitzpatrick Circulation Manager: Wendy Denison AN ISLAND PUBLISHERS NEWSPAPER CCNA 4 BCYCNA BRITISH COLUMSIA AND YUKON COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS This, I suppose, could be con- sidered a thank you letter but my hope is that it will be seen as a positive statement on a wider issue. Our senses are bombarded by media comments concerning the negative situations in which so many of our youth now find them- selves embroiled. In Sidney the other evening I had the pleasure of seeing a body of our local young people in a most positive showcase — and showcase is the operative word! Sidney Elementary School held a performance of Mary Poppins that was a shining example of teachers, parents and a whole “bunch”’ of marvelous young peo- ple working together in a most positive way. For the hour the children were on stage they gave their all — and it was great! That hour had obvi- ously been achieved by weeks of dedicated effort on the part of all concerned, on stage and behind; weeks of positive actions and experiences. This letter won't change the ugly reality of our social problems eating away at our society but hopefully it will, for the few skunked and rental boats dotted the inlet all spring, summer and fall. While all the other marinas in the bay changed hands during declining economic times, H. Lacy managed the place alone, working almost every day, 16 hours a day during summer months. He was very resourceful, innova- tive and hard-working. For exam- ple, he recently built the present floats (docks) using lumber which he cut from salvaged logs from the Inlet. Old railroad ties provided the track for the marine ways which he also recently rebuilt to hold larger boats — a real bonus for boat owners. Gilbert’s Marina, to me, was a community place where local peo- ple and boat owners shared fish- ing/boating information and folk lore. It was a place where one could have a friendly chat over a cup of hot coffee or borrow a screwdriver or find a helping hand. Now that the place is swept clean I hope that the bare bones of the marina continues to be the friendly, helpful and tranquil “community” it has always been. Also, please note the typo in the UVic professor. But the fact is that municipal councils do have the power to limit growth. No develop- ment can be undertaken except by deliberate action of present or past councils. The Municipal Act provides for a five-year plan known as the Official Community Plan (OCP) to be drawn up with public input. The plan is enforced with zoning bylaws stating where development may take place and what kind of development is allowed. Problems arise when there is a demand for councils to “free up” more land for development or when zoning bylaws based on the OCP are requested to be changed. On what basis does a council decide to change the OCP? At a typical public hearing one side is represented by those who will benefit financially from the change. These include developers, land speculators, builders, mer- chants, professional people etc. On the other side at the hearing are the people who will eventually have to pay for the development. These are the people, living in the area, who pay with increased taxes (broadening the tax base to reduce_q_ Continued on Page A8