Thunder Bay’s Police Service Board is getting an 85% grade from its Chair for the speed in implementing 44 recommendations of how to deal with racism in the force.
One area Celina Reitberger wishes for quicker action on is more officers to the Aboriginal Liaison Unit.
“But I know that was not the first step with the organization committee, so, it was to re-organize the ALU.”
However, Chief Sylvie Hauth feels they’re moving at a fairly good pace, considering she was waiting for the budget.
“Didn’t come until early February, so until I had kind of the money in hand, it’s difficult for certain projects to move ahead.”
The police chief adds it takes time to get certain projects moving.
The Board also refuses to give up hounding the provincial government for money to fight guns and gangs.
Reitberger says not only has Mayor Mauro worked his past connections as an MPP, she’s asked each member to reach out to the province.
“I reached out to Kim Murray who is a deputy minister with Ministry of the Attorney General, and she was able to point me in the direction of a couple of funding sources, with respect to guns and gangs.”
The Chair adds they’re working at getting a meeting with Correctional Services Minister Sylvia Jones.
As for spending $200,000 on the Hammarskjold High school threats, the police board is working to see if that can be recouped.
Chief Hauth notes they provide proper information to a judge who’ll make the decision.
“The amount of resources that were utilized, not in a monetary value, but the resources themselves from the service, which detracts obviously from our other day to day functions.”
Meanwhile, board chair Reitberger was blunt about making the parents of the accused 14-year old and 18-year old pay.
“No, I think that’s a terrible idea. We think we have to put the safety of our children first and we do not punish parents.”
She adds it’s a silly idea.
