Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Crimestoppers names new coordinator ESSEX — With January being Crimestoppers Month, OPP in Essex County are celebrating by congratulating Provincial Constable Sarah Werstein on her new position as the Windsor and Essex County OPP Crimestoppers Coordinator. Crimestoppers has a history of over 35 years in this area and they’ve been instrumental in assisting with providing key information through tips relating to countless cases. The police coordinators receiving the tips and the board of directors who facilitate the non-profit charity are considered instrumental and a priceless tool to investigators. “Crime Stoppers is an award winning program whose success year after year is a testament in helping our communities stay safe,” said Essex County OPP Detachment Commander, Inspector Glenn Miller. “As a partnership based program, it energizes us to not only safe
guard what we have, but to support our neighbours and businesses by promoting crime prevention.” This year’s theme for Crime Stoppers Month is ‘Helping all Communities Stay Safe.’
CONSTABLE SARAH WERSTEIN
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Letters to the Editor
Writer weighs in on policing issue Dear Editor: Being a lifetime resident of Leamington I feel compelled to share my opinion regarding policing and cost effectiveness. Every situation that occurs in the policing world from call volume, to severity of incidents varies from minute to minute. I have served in policing support as 911 Communicator for 25 yrs and Administrative Assistant for 10 yrs for both Leamington Police Service and Ontario Provincial Police. This has awarded me with insight that has provided me with a well -rounded perspective on law enforcement through the lens of municipal and provincial organizations. All police services try to maintain a specific compliment of staffing levels due to vacation time, sick time, training, court appearances while trying to remain cost effective within the confines of the policing budget. The OPP is equipped with resources such as Mental Health Response Unit, Emergency Response Unit, TRU Team, K9 Unit and the list continues. Although the services may not need to be called upon one must certainly recognize that
if needed, the resources are there. My question to town council is, what would the cost of these resources be if switching to a municipal police service? Policing today has certainly changed due to Human Rights, ORPID, SIU Units and advancement in technology making accountability of police officers imperative. Over the course of 3 years, the taxes for Leamington residents have increased steadily at 1.8%. In all fairness I recognize that costs rise due to infrastructure, however, will there ever be a pause? What enhanced services will the Leamington residents receive if council decides on alternative options? Secondly who is going to incur the increased costs of policing if town council decides to switch to a municipal police service? Which will no doubt increase the cost of policing by millions of dollars annually? Let’s ensure the tax dollars spent remain within the confine of the set budget as we certainly expect police to do the same. Respectfully , Lynda Ware
Fed up with lack of poop ‘n scoop Dear Editor: I would like to start by saying that I live in the wonderful neighbourhood of Golfview Estates in Kingsville. There is a dog park in the area which is a very busy place. We also have a beautiful pond that has a walkway around it that many people use. Unfortunately, there are of course dog owners ( usually with large dogs ) that walk around this pond and feel they do not have to pick up after their dog. Why is it that these irresponsible dog owners don’t feel the rules apply to them? Why is it okay to leave a huge
amount of poop near a sidewalk or walkway? How would they like to step in that huge pile they just left behind? Why do they leave the house without a poop bag? It’s beyond me. There is absolutely no excuse. They should be ashamed of themselves. Go to the dog park! If you can’t walk your dog and pick up after them, stay home and keep them in your yard. There is a By-law that states you must poop and scoop. Fed up! Name withheld by request
Southpoint Sun - 17
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