Timmins addresses community safety, local crime concerns

The City of Timmins says it is making it a priority to examine local crime concerns and community safety.

Amid a recent spike in business break-ins and calls for action, Timmins’ mayor Michelle Boileau said Friday it was time she got an update from Police Chief Daniel Foy.

“He advised me that the (police) board is working on a retention strategy, that they’re just finalizing and that they’ll be coming back to the board and then, ultimately to council with,” said Boileau.

She said it was reassuring to hear from the chief that the police service is making do with a shortage of officers – although it's now expected to be down two more next week, with two constables resigning.

“They’re completing investigations and that’s what really counts here,” Boileau said.

Police officials said they are doing the best they can with limited resources, like any other community right now and that Timmins’ crime situation is not unique.

“These are challenging times and we’re hopeful that the local community understands that the police service is doing everything it can, within the confines of the constitution and the criminal code, to make our community as safe as possible,” said Marc Depatie, the communications coordinator for the Timmins Police Service.

Depatie said recent efforts like switching to online record checks have freed up resources and they are looking for ideas from other communities to free more resources up in Timmins.

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Boileau said she feels that the city can do a better job of communicating what it is doing to address these issues.

“I just want to reassure, especially the business community and residents, that we are hearing their concerns and we’re taking them very seriously,” said Boileau.

She said by holding town halls and forming advisory groups the city is letting people voice their thoughts adding the police service is planning to propose some other ways it can have a stronger presence in the city.

Boileau said the city is planning more meetings with the Timmins police.