I feel I need to respond to this.
The Renfrew and Area Connections Centre is closing, effective Friday. The fellow issuing the statement on behalf of Renfrew OPP, Inspector Marc Hemmerick, used the word “pause” in an emailed statement given to Renfrew’s myFM radio. I have to crib the statement from their online site because, well, Inspector Hemmerick obviously doesn’t feel I’m worth responding to, having failed to return my call placed last week with the detachment seeking comment on this very topic
“As of Friday the 1 of November 2024, at 4 p.m., the Renfrew Detachment of the OPP will be pausing our participation at the Renfrew and Area Connections Center while the Detachment, OPP’s Grant Support Team and the Town of Renfrew determine what are the next best steps forward for the grant and the community activities it supports.”
That grant money being referred to was good until March 1, 2025.
This smells of sophistry to me. I’m sorry, but it does. And regardless of the Bright White Shirt — batteries not included — saying “pause,” I hear “close permanently” instead. I may be wrong, but I don’t think I am. Time will settle that argument, but in the passing of that time, and amidst a vacuum of information, a vulnerable local population will be set adrift, and it will done with eyes wide-open by all appearances.
The Inspector, the interim detachment commander, cited changes to The Police Services Act and The Community Safety Policing Act as the rationale behind the closing. As per Renfrew spokesperson Hannah MacMillan, “due to the restructuring of the OPP Detachment Board in Ontario municipalities, the town does hold the funding/grant for the Connection Centre now. “
Not bad for a place that “suggested” they had nothing to do with it outside of providing in-kind facilities for the Centre.
And when were these “changes” they’re all citing made? Last week? Last month? Last year? And yet not a word of the impending closure of this vital community service? Or was there? My goodness, politics everywhere, and none of it looking good on the people playing it. Mostly because they’re not very good at it.
In some degree of fairness to Town Council, I have to believe they’ve been taking legal advice with respect to responding to me, something telling in its own right if true. But given the challenges this council has inherited, I could totally understand if such advice was sought and received. In the same circumstances, I’d probably do the same thing. And maybe under the same circumstances, I’d advise the same thing. After all, sometimes lawyers get it right. But I’m over here on this side of the information vacuum, so my understanding of their predicament doesn’t preclude me from looking for answers to legitimate questions. Perhaps someone of some measure of authority could just step up and say “Hey, we’d love to answer your questions, but with respect, we won’t at the moment on the advise offered to us by legal counsel.” And bam, I’m gone. Because I could understand that. I can understand that things are connected to things that are connected to other things, and that commenting upon any one of them may compromise efforts being made to make things, all things, right. Again, I’d get that. But I guess that would be a step too uncomfortable for their crack legal team, whoever that might be. And so, in the absence of any comment whatsoever, the vacuum gets filled regardless, sometimes inaccurately. I guess it’s a price worth paying, according to legal advice, which of course is different from political advice. Sometimes the two can co-exist, but apparently not in this case. Again, I’m not sure about all this yet, but I have to say it’s kinda suspicious when I get ignored on such a blanket, seemingly coordinated level.
Back to the legislation cited in the media statement, or release, or whatever it was. Because I’m a policy and legislation wonk, of course I looked up the Community Safety Policing Act, just to see what was kicking around in there. I came across Section 17 of that legislation.
To wit:
17 (1) A police service board may enter into a written agreement with a municipality or with any other person to provide policing, or other specified services, that would not otherwise be provided or be required to be provided by the police service board. 2023, c. 12, Sched. 1, s. 9.
(2) The Minister may enter into a written agreement with a municipality or with any other person to have the Commissioner provide policing, or other specified services, that would not otherwise be provided or be required to be provided by the Commissioner. 2023, c. 12, Sched. 1, s. 9.
Seems to me that they could have actually kept the place open if they wanted, notwithstanding the comments of the Inspector and the town spokesperson. So what’s the real reason? Was the place not carrying its weight? Were any target metrics established? Were those expectations met? Not met? Exceeded? What do the numbers say? Because I can’t see how the amalgamation of Police Services Boards has anything to do with this, other than to provide a lame excuse, or cover, for closing the place.
I rooted around some, and with the help of someone out there actually interested and caring enough to assist, I uncovered the following article from the Eganville Leader, dated April 12, 2023.
What a difference a year makes. Just look at the smiles. Look at the promise. Look at the OPP present, both constables and a senior officer. Mental health workers present. Look at the bouquets bestowed. Praise and confetti all around. A great article by Bruce, as always. Great photos.
And look at the politicians. And remember. Perhaps moving forward I can help with that.
For the record, I asked specifically, yet informally, if the town had designs on putting a similar type of operation at Ma-Te-Way, something that was brought to my attention by more than one person as I made my rounds. Off the record, the answer was no. And if today’s revelations mean anything, you can take that to the bank… at your own risk. Keep your eyes peeled for the homeless and drug-challenged population out at Ma-Te-Way. What a perfect mix of demographics that would be. But then again, in fairness, they indicated no. But I’m kind of developing trust issues with these folks. And those will remain until someone has the courage to categorically state otherwise. Maybe in public. Or are they entirely desperate to fill up space at Ma-Te-Way at any cost? And when will Ma-Te-Way stop being a negative story?
I’m extremely disappointed in a number of people here. I’ve been asking about this possibility for over two weeks now and have been ignored at every turn. By police and Renfrew Town Council.
And despite every assurance that the town had no idea what I was referring to, it now seems they knew very well what I was talking about but perhaps resented the fact that I had the temerity to ask. If only I could be present at those closed meetings this council regularly retreats into. My goodness, what an eye-opener I’m sure that experience would be. The exceptions listed in the Municipal Act that provide for closed meetings must be worn around the edges from over-use. The mayor probably sees them in his sleep.
“It is my understanding that this will be coming to council to make a final decision on in the coming weeks and months,” said Ms. MacMillan, the person designated to take the hit for the decision-makers behind the scenes, political or otherwise.
Well, good for you, Renfrew Town Council. Seems you do have some skin in the game, after all. Thank you for the apparent subterfuge. What a great look that is for you. Already swimming in public relations nightmares but still having the time and energy to generate more. Impressive.
Just over two weeks ago, I commended Pembroke and Renfrew OPP detachments for their progressive, forward approach to a crisis that is right before us, some areas worse than others. I have to reveal my personal naivety and admit to being taken for a fool. They were spot-on in that assessment of me. This time.
I withdraw the praise I accorded to the Renfrew OPP. Apparently detachments are silos, so what happens in Pembroke doesn’t necessarily have to happen on this side of the jurisdictional fence. So my praise for Pembroke OPP remains intact. Unless there’s something afoot behind the scenes there, as well. What a climb-down that would be. What a loss of face. But I guess they’re cool with that, judging by the hatchet-job I just witnessed here in Renfrew.
Perhaps that means nothing to them. but it does to me.
NEWSMAGRENFREW 