Timmins Police getting caught up on modernizing

Police in Timmins are undergoing modernization, with the police board meeting with Timmins city council to give an overview of some of the work being done.

The Timmins Police Service is undergoing a period of modernization.

Its board recently met with Timmins city council to provide an overview of some of the work that needs to be done.

Police Chief Syd Lecky said the upgrades are expensive but necessary.

“We are just getting caught up,” he said.

“Computers in cars have been there for years. We’ve only got ours in last year … the automated license plate readers, I’ve been using these tools and cars in other parts of this country for 20 years … so it’s going to cost us money to get there.”

Lecky also said the police building -- one of the newer buildings in the city -- requires a new heating, cooling and ventilation system. He said the cellblocks are being renovated and even pistols are outdated.

“We are one of the few police services still using the pistols that we have,” Lecky said.

“Everybody else has already transitioned on to other, more modern ... tools that they need.”

Financial pressures

Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau said it was important for council to be aware of some of the financial pressures police are facing and to keep it in mind when deliberating the next municipal budget.

“Especially when residents are asking us the questions because, you know, they do ask, what am I getting for my dollar in terms of police services?” Boileau said.

“It’s important that we be able to provide a sound answer to that.”

When it comes to crime trends, Lecky told council that break-and-enters are down 45 per cent in the last three years, but shoplifting incidents and calls involving guns are increasing.