Saugeen Shores Police Sargeant Dave Butcher offered his comments to a moderate crowd at the Saugeen Shores Police Board public meeting, July 20.

Hub Staff

Supporters for Saugeen Shores Police Services and the plight for their 16 year old building took centre stage at a public meeting at the Plex on June 20. Police Service Facility Board Chair, Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau and Police Chief Dan Rivett, gave a presentation that exposed and highlighted the current building’s deficiencies, risks to integrity of persecution, potential risks to officers as well as civilian staff, issues with adequate policing and risks of costs to the community. The purpose of the public meeting was to garner public comment and suggestions to help create a recommendation that might better meet current and future needs to the Saugeen Shores Police Service Board.

Carbonneau said they’ve reached a point of concern, “we need to consider potential solutions to these deficiencies and that’s what we’re going to get into.”

The information provided during the presentation was just a sliver of the problems that were showcased during a recent media tour that took place in June. Chief Rivett welcomed the community to do similar walk-throughs, by appointment and as of publishing time, one Saugeen Shores citizen has done so. Former Southamtpon Mayor Art Knechtel was the sole citizen who had taken a tour of the crowded facility and spoke during the question and public comments portion of the July 20 meeting.

“I was shocked when I went into that building,” said Knechtel, adding that he wouldn’t deny that Chief Rivett and his officers are working under “terrible conditions”.

“What really bothers me is that I hear in the coffee shops people say ‘[police] don't need a new building’. [Rivett] opened it up to the public and nobody came... but me.” Knechtel went on to say that a picture is worth a thousand words. “This presentation was excellent but it does nothing if you don't visit the place,” said the disappointed former mayor.

Knechtel touched on points from options that needs to be explored and potential station “visions” needing to be made public. He said that what becomes of the building will be “the most important decision” that our current council will make and that it would be imperative to include it in next year’s budget talks.

Saugeen Shores resident Dan Frank after a recent incident in his home of an unwanted visitor, called upon the Saugeen Shores Police for their services and applauded their efforts when it comes to helping the public. However when it came time to make a statement about the incident, Frank didn’t feel “secure or safe” in the current facility. “The building looks really nice there, a little bit small, but nice just driving by it. But when I got in there, I was shocked. What it looked like was a shed, that has a bunch of drywall put into it for rooms and I couldn't believe the state and the storage all over the place,” said Frank.

He brought up the occurrence of having criminals being booked or crossing civilian areas.
“I was in one of the conference rooms near the front with a constable and I didn't feel secure or safe”.

Frank went on to make suggestions that the Police Service Board take into account the eventual population growth of Saugeen Shores, so the current situation does not repeat itself. One of the potential plans on display only had two cells, Frank hoped to see that be increased.

Frank finished his comment with a quick witted idea on how to get more public touring the station as it stands currently. “If you want to get people into the place, have them give their statements in the building like I had to.” He also suggested the police dress it up for Christmas and put it on the Cham-bettes annual Christmas Home Tour, which drew laughter from the crowd.

Saugeen Shores Sargeant Dave Butcher didn't come with the intention to speak but expressed his devotion to Saugeen Shores Police Services. “As an officer here, this is an outstanding place to work. We have a great bunch of people. You have to understand that these officers are hand selected,” Butcher said, adding “I’m here because I want to be here.”

A second public meeting will be held on August 17 at the Southampton Town Hall at 7 p.m.

And the public is reminded that they are welcome to, by appointment, tour the facility. Anyone with comments or suggestions is asked to email the committee at saugeenshorespolice@bmts.com or by submission, delivered or mailed to the Police Service Board. They will be accepting comments and suggestions until mid-September.

Saugeen Shores Police Chief Dan Rivett during the Public Meeting regarding Saugeen Shores Police facilities July 20.

Former Southampton Mayor, Art Knechtel offering his comment during the meeting at the Plex, July 20.