In 2003, the Winnipeg Police Service held 11 public meetings promoting the Four District Model, of which the major component was the construction of three large suburban police stations to replace five aging ones.
The plan would result in more efficient use of existing labour resources. Some desk officers could be redeployed onto the street.
On July 23, 2003, full City Council approved the Four District Model.
Closed police station in St. James on Lyle St. /FRED MORRIS
Large police stations are now in use on Dugald Rd. and on Grant Ave. Four smaller stations at 210 Lyle St., 1350 Pembina, 730 Pandora Ave. West, and 227 Provencher Blvd. have closed.
The third large police station within two kilometers of Arlington and Burrows was never built. It is more than a decade behind schedule. The aging out of date police station at 260 Hartford Avenue remains in use.
The Police Association is currently going to door to door, expressing concern about possible budget cuts. However, above inflation annual increases of policing costs is unsustainable.
Police costs have increased by 80% in the last decade. The Association should explain how the new police stations on Dugald and Grant have effected labour and other costs.
What effect would the proposed new North End police station have on these costs? Is the 2003 Four District Model still relevant?
One of two newer police stations at Grant and Shaftesbury. /FRED MORRIS
Since 2003, the Mayor and 12 out of 15 city councillors have changed. The current councillors should acknowledge the existence of the Four District Model, and express their opinion. The ‘before my time excuse’ is unacceptable for a plan that may help solve Winnipeg’s biggest budget problem.
If the proposed North End police station can result in significantly better use of existing labour resources on every shift, let’s get it built.
