(March 5, 2021) – Fred Dodge, PC Candidate for Burin-Grand Bank, says the impending loss of the RCMP detachment will increase response times for calls and leave the people of the region with less active protection from policing services.

On Friday, the Telegram reported the RCMP detachment in Grand Bank will be shuttered, with houses dedicated for police officers sold off as a result. Instead of policing support in the community, police operations will be centralized from Marystown, which Dodge says will make the jobs of the remaining officers more difficult.

“It’s going to create a large gap in the region without police services and increase the time it takes for police to respond to calls. The people of Grand Bank and Fortune as well as the entire Bruin Peninsula will see an overall negative impact on their protection and of their property,” said Dodge.

RCMP services are cost shared with the federal government, with the province pitching in 70 per cent of the funds for RCMP operations. Dodge says the Liberals are letting policing slip away from the region, and Steve Crocker isn’t saying a word about it.

“These cuts are happening on the Liberals’ watch and I haven’t heard a whisper from the Liberal government on these cuts. A PC government would work hard to restore policing services in the region to ensure people are property are protected,” said Dodge.

“It’s unacceptable that the Liberals are silent as these services slip away. People’s safety is on the line and only a PC government will advocate for a return to full policing services in the region.”
 

Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Communications

(p) (709) 769-2216

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