The head of the Comox Valley RCMP is urging local municipalities to upgrade the aging detachment, a project expected to cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Insp. Scott Mercer highlighted that the current 40-year-old building has undergone multiple renovations but is well past its operational lifespan. Issues like asbestos, lead, HVAC system problems, and seismic safety concerns have prompted the urgent need for a replacement.
Mercer emphasized that discussions about replacing the detachment have been ongoing for two decades but have now reached a critical stage, necessitating concrete planning and funding commitments. Collaborations with municipal partners have been positive, but Mercer stressed the importance of formalizing commitments in budgets.
To provide a cost estimate, Mercer referenced the $53 million North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP facility and the $150 million projected cost for a new RCMP headquarters in Kamloops. He acknowledged the significant financial burden on municipalities but emphasized the essential nature of these facilities for community safety.
In a council meeting in Cumberland, concerns outlined by Mercer were deliberated upon. Cumberland, with a population approaching 5,000, currently covers 30% of its policing costs, a figure set to rise to 70% once the population surpasses 5,000. Mayor Vickey Brown highlighted the financial implications for Cumberland and other municipalities nearing the 5,000 threshold, emphasizing the need for financial planning discussions with the province.
Brown expressed understanding for the necessity of a new RCMP detachment in the Comox Valley but stressed the challenges faced by smaller communities in long-term financial planning due to limited tax bases.
