Essa supports additional officers, renewal of policing contract
by Richard Blanchard

Essa council has given its support to renewing the contract with the Ontario Provincial Police for policing of the township.

But council hopes that the new contract will ensure that the additional police officers that will be hired over its term, will be used for policing in Essa township.

The discussion arose over a proposed meeting for Essa, Adjala-Tosorontio and New Tecumseth to discuss the future of the policing contract.

"I'm 100% in favour of renewing the contract and increasing the number of officers. I know that we will still be below the provincial average for police but I think that there will be an improvement," said mayor Dave Guergis.

Both Guergis and councillor Sandie Macdonald said that they wanted to see visible evidence of more officers policing the township.

"Getting the bang for our buck is important," said Macdonald.

"And seeing how our complement of new officers is distributed is important," said Guergis. "The building of a new police office closer to Essa should help us out but I want to see the OPP to be proactive. We know that evil forces are around."