FALL RIVER/BEAVER BANK: Two local councillors are open to gathering more information regarding the purchase of a controversial Armoured Rescue Vehicle by Halifax Regional Police (HRP) in the wake of calls for HRM council to cancel the contract.
Councillor Steve Streatch and Deputy Mayor Lisa Blackburn were contacted by The Laker News for their stance on the vehicle given the online pushback, as well as videos of how similar vehicles were being used in the U.S. during protest in the wake of the senseless death of George Floyd.
The inquiry also comes after two of their colleagues—Tim Outhit and Waye Mason—posted online that they both had a change of mind relating to the purchase of the armoured rescue vehicle. Streatch said he and his councillors have received more than 500 emails “demanding” they defund the police and cancel the armoured vehicle purchase
“I voted yes for the vehicle but am ready to look at new information,” said Blackburn, who represents Middle/Upper Sackville-Lucasville-Beaver Bank. “I’m interested in finding out if a lack of such a vehicle was cited in the Moncton inquiry.”
She also wants to know what the penalty is for cancelling the contract.
“If we can’t cancel the contract without a major penalty, does the Board of Police Commissioners have the ability to draft a high-level policy outlining under what circumstances the vehicle is to be used?
“Those are questions I need answers to before deciding to reverse my vote.”
Streatch, the representative for Waverley-Fall River-Musquodoboit Valley, said the armoured rescue vehicle would have been in HRP’s possession if not for delays due to the COVID19 pandemic.
“It came to council from the Halifax Police Commission as a recommendation, supported by HRP,” he said. “The intention, as explained to council, was for it to be used as just that, a way of protection for both officers and citizens, and intended to be used like the one owned by the RCMP as well as police protection in situations like we saw in N.B. a couple of years ago.
“I never imagined anyone would consider using it against citizens such as we have seen in the USA, and I would want assurances in policy that it would not be.”
He said he understand that the Police Commission is planning to meet soon, and he awaits any new recommendations from them, and any motion that may be brought forward.
“I will give careful consideration to any implications in making changes to that contract and how it may affect the municipality, HRP, and the taxpayers,” said Streatch.
Now turning to focus on the calls to defund the police, Streatch said he really doesn’t understand the rationale behind such demands.
“Until it is clearer, I will not support a movement in that direction any further than is already being proposed in our upcoming budget, which includes a reduction in the HRP budget of $3.5 million,” he said. “This motion was passed due to financial constraints, not due to a shift in ideology, and you will recall the outcry when public safety was proposed to be cut even further (police, fire, Ground Search and Rescue), by $5.5 million, and council backtracked on that only a month ago.”
Blackburn spoke about the emails and online rallying in support of a defund the police movement.
“When you look at the dollar amount spent on the police in HRM, it paints only one picture. It needs to be put in context,” she said. “For example, what percentage is policing to the overall budget? And is that percentage remaining steady?
“In the case of Halifax Police, it’s just a little more than 20 per cent and it hasn’t changed much in the last decade.”
She has had thoughts of splitting the police department up to serve more, but that would take financial support.
“I’ve often thought about a separate division of the police department made up of social workers as sworn officers attending to mental health calls,” said Blackburn. “But starting up such progressive programs takes money.”
Streatch said if people want change to Local and National policing policy it can not be done simply by demanding them through an email campaign.
“It must be through dialogue, consultation and alternative options, none of which has happened at regional council,” said Streatch, “therefore at present there are no alternatives to consider.”
