The mayor and police chief of Timmins are on the same page about the rampant rate of break-and-enters in the city – residential and commercial.
Mayor Michelle Boileau met with Chief Dan Foy to update the situation.
Among the many issues is staffing at the police service. The mayor says the chief updated her on retention and recruitment efforts. And he told her that despite being overworked, investigators are keeping up.
“That was really good to hear,” shre remarks, “that despite the volume in activities, they’re able to still get their work done.”
Mayor Boileau says upcoming meetings will get public input into a revised strategic plan for police. She says that should dispel the feeling among residential and business property owners that they’re not being heard.
The recent uptick in property crimes isn’t unique to Timmins. Neither are the root causes behind it. Boileau says some of those causes are out of the hands of municipalities and police, such as the needed review into the justice system.
“It’s been relieving to hear comments from residents acknowledging that’s not necessarily something that mayor or council or the police services can fix today. We just have to keep advocating for that review and for the necessary changes.”
Here is audio of our conversation with Mayor Michelle Boileau: