District axes community policing

By Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star - March 26, 2008

Coldstream’s Community Policing Office has closed its doors for good. In a current review of services in Coldstream, the community policing service has been terminated. “We’re trying to trim back somewhere,” said Mayor Gary Corner. “We feel there’s some good services community policing provides but it just didn’t really work with Coldstream.” The community policing was costing the district approximately $120,000 a year, plus the cost of the building and maintenance. With the closure of the office comes the termination of a key figure – office co-ordinator Kate Leeder. “Kate has been let go, it’s got nothing to do with her job or anything like that,” said Corner. “She’s definitely got some expertise.” Now the district is looking at what programs Coldstream does benefit from (such as speed watch and citizens on patrol) and is requesting continuation of these services from the Vernon Safe Communities Unit.The office space will also not go to waste, with a possibility of using it for district staff, said Corner.“It will definitely be used, it’ll be used by our municipality.” With the community policing cost savings and possibly further savings as council continues to review all other services, Coldstream taxes are also slated to drop. Taxpayers are currently facing a 9.17 per cent tax hike, and although an exact number isn’t known yet, taxes will be dropping. “That will be dropping no matter what,” said Corner. “We’ll definitely bring that down.” With the closure of the community policing office, residents are reminded that they will continue to receive RCMP services out of the Vernon RCMP detachment. Any issues related directly to community policing can be forwarded to the District of Coldstream for review and action as required.