Some Richmond councillors would like to see movement on a community policing station in Hamilton after talking about it for 10 years.
Currently, the RCMP have two police officers dedicated around the clock to Hamilton, and they are using the Hamilton Fire Hall as their “landing pad,” explained Chief Supt. Will Ng at Tuesday’s community safety committee meeting.
City spokesperson Clay Adams later added the fire hall is “working very well” and has secure web access for police to use.
A motion by Coun. Bill McNulty to ask staff for more information and to include the police station in the 2020-2025 capital plan was supported unanimously by the committee, either to look at a temporary or permanent location.
Adams said the need for a community policing station as well as the timing and scope will be part of the report requested by the community safety committee.
The population and crime increase in Hamilton, however, hasn’t shifted enough to “make this a burning priority,” Adams said.
The Richmond Official Community Plan – last updated in 2014 - includes a future community policing station in Hamilton of about 1,400 square feet either in conjunction with the community centre or at another location approved by council.
