As RNC takes over more west coast policing from RCMP, mayors have questions

Two mayors in Newfoundland's Bay of Islands region say they're waiting to see howbeing moved into the jurisdiction of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary will affectpolicing in their towns.

Communities in the Bay of Islands surrounding Corner Brook, as well asthose in the Humber Valley and Pasadena,have traditionally been policed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

That will change Feb. 1, when the RNC will take over policing in the communities of Massey Drive and Mount Moriah.

The RNC'sjurisdiction will expand to even more communities in western Newfoundlandover the course of 2024.

The expansion, whichwas announced in August, affects about 33,000 residents.

In a recent statement, Justice Minister John Hogan said the government wants "to ensure policing is working in the most effective and efficient way possible to ensure all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians feel safe and secure."

Massey Drive Mayor Don Brown is excited for the change, saying despite a good working relationship the RCMP didn't have enough resources available to properly police the town of around 1,800.

"If we had an issue 10, 11, 12 o'clock at night, the human resources that they had on the ground they couldn't get here fast enough," Brown told CBC News.

"The RNC has ensured us that we will get regular patrols daily for our community and will take care of some of the issues."

Speeding has become an increasing concern in the community, said Brown,and he hopes increased police presence will hopefully negate it.

He said the RNC have promised more patrols,more police on the ground, and a desire to become a part ofthe community.

However, Perry Sheppard, mayor of Cox's Cove, is notsold on the switch, which for his community will happenlater this year.

"I think they're going to start making some patrols [but] If they don't add manpower, somebody's getting spread thin," Cox said Tuesday.

"I really don't see this being a benefit."

WATCH I Twoof Newfoundland's west coast mayors weigh in on the RNC taking over from the RCMP:

RNC moving into more west coast communities

8 months ago

Duration 1:24

Some areas that were policed by the RCMP are being taken over by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. Mayors of two communities say they want to see more police visibility, but are unsure the change will succeed in the long term.

Sheppard said he has concerns about how the allocation of police resources will play out, adding he's already seen it affect the community.

The RCMP used to patrol the town of 600 people three to four times a day when he was a young adult, he said, but now it's only once a day.

"The lower the presence, the higher the speeds and everything else," he said. "If they do [increase patrols], how long is that going to last? The public sector is the first to get hit when it comes to cutbacks. And when thegovernment got to cut spending, it's in the public sector."

WATCH I 2 of Newfoundland's west coast mayors weigh in on the RNC taking over from the RCMP:

CBC News asked the RNC for an on-camera interview but was told Chief Pat Rochewas unavailable until February.

RNC communications director Danielle Barrondirected CBC News to the Department of Justice and Public Safety, saying the expansion a government decision.

"We can confirm however, that additional officers have been deployed to the region to accommodate the increased jurisdiction. An analysis of workload statistics indicates that this expansion should enhance policing services for all residents of the west coast," the statement says.

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