Mackenzie County Reeve, Josh Knelsen has mixed reviews on the province’s decision to hire more RCMP officers. Last week, Justice Minister and Solicitor General Doug Schweitzer announced the province will be hiring an additional 300 police officers to help combat rural crime. “I am definitely happy about the hiring of more officers,” says Knelsen. “I am not sure how I feel about the county having to cough up (the money) for it.”
Under the plan, municipalities would be responsible for 10 percent of the police services bill with an increase to 15 percent in 2021, eventually growing to a 30 percent share in 2023. “When the share increases to 20 percent, we are looking at a bill of around $500,000,” states Knelsen.
Knelsen adds that he feels there is more the province can do. “I think they (the province) are definitely on the right track. I think criminal activity has gone unchecked for way too long,” mentions Knelsen. “What I would suggest is some of that money coming directly from the criminals in one way or another. What I would also suggest is that the prison system’s operating budget get cut by 50 percent. As far as I’m concerned, a prison should be something that anytime someone thinks about it gets chills down their spine.”
Knelsen says he doesn’t feel taxpayers should be on the hook for criminals. “I know it varies, but anytime I hear numbers of anywhere between $100-$300 a day to house a criminal, I am not sure if there is a correction there because as far as I am concerned, the hard working men and women should not be on the hook while criminals get a free ride.”
Knelsen says while he feels the province is heading in the right direction in terms of combating crime, he would like to see harsher penalties for anyone breaking the law.
– Kenny Trenton, Trending 55 Newsroom
