At Issue: Barrie's 2021 Police Budget

 As City Council is set to vote on the city’s operating and capital budget on January 25, one area of debate is the police budget. 

The Barrie Police Service budget rose by 2.65 percent over last year’s request. 

That's a rise that is attributed to a decrease in areas of Provincial funding and necessary equipment upgrades. salaries and benefits make up over 75 percent of the budget. 

It also reflects mandated benefits and salary rises. 

According to the Police Chief -- any budget freeze would mean the existing capacity of the police would be further challenged. 

However for many in Barrie and across Canada -- this explanation doesn't sit right. 

In a year where North America saw widespread calls for a reallocation of Police budgets and defunding initiatives, some Barrie residents want to see parts of Barrie’s Police budget shifted, to address root causes of crime. In early January the city’s online budget re-allocator survey results came in. 

That survey shows over 60 percent of respondents back a 5 percent reduction in the Police budget.

Over the next two days, the 2021 police budget was passed by the general committee with no approved amendments. 

Amber Beckett is a local business owner, member of Re-imagine Public Safety Barrie and volunteers with Making Change, a group promoting anti-racism initiatives.

In June 2020 She posted on Barrie’s online feedback site for a 10% reduction in the Police Budget for 2021,  It received over 1100 upvotes. 

She also spoke to the city council on the issue, stating that as the city funds the police service, other social services suffer. 

She calls not for a service cut to police, but a reallocation of their budget.

“I prefer to look at it as reallocation. It’s not punitive against the police for anything that they’ve done,” said Beckett. “My viewpoint is we need to resource organizations within our community that are going to need it the most that support people that are suffering from mental health, or people that are unhoused.” 

“If we address those issues at the root cause, and help and support those people instead of sending the police as a reactionary measure, I think it’s better for everyone involved.”