Hamilton Police Board holds firm on proposed budget at city hall

Hamilton’s Police Board is sending its over $200 million budget back to city council without any changes after denying cuts proposed by two members at a special board meeting Tuesday.

The decision from the board came less than two hours into the meeting held to discuss the figure.

“For us to say to the public as a board that we can find absolutely no additional savings, is completely contrary to the entire spirit.” said Ward 2 Councillor Cameron Kroetsch.

Kroetsch, along with fellow board member Dr. Anjali Menezes, pitched roughly $5 million in reductions from the police budget.

The proposals were shot down by a board vote of five to two.

WATCH MORE: Hamilton police, city council to meet to discuss proposed budget

“The board stands behind its recommendation for a 2024 budget increase of 6.88 per cent or $13.2 million for a total combined budget of $206.92 million.”

In previous weeks, community members were given the opportunity to comment and some expressed their opposition to the increase.

“I’m deeply proud of not only my co-board member Menezes, but also everyone who took the time to write in and tell us how they felt about this, how these cost impacts are affecting them and what they really wanted to see the board do today,” Kroetsch told the board.

“I’m disappointed that the board didn’t listen to them but I am only one vote.”

Frank Bergen has held the role of Hamilton’s Police Chief since 2021. He says the increase is a matter of meeting the demands of community safety.

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“We are continually trying to meet with our community and what we hear is actually they’re number one concern is traffic safety and we see that the influx of vehicular traffic, pedestrian traffic and cyclists. So we want to make sure we have that ability and I am confident we will continue to meet the needs of our community, that being said we are always struggling to meet the demand.”

Among the proposed reductions was disbanding the mounted unit saving $914,000, delaying planned hiring that would save $740,000 and delaying repairs to the Mountain police station parking lot that would save an additional $500,000.

“I worry that the message that we are sending to the Service and to the people who serve the people of Hamilton, is that they are not valued and for me that’s very problematic.”

Mayor Andrea Horwath stood strong against changing the proposed budget, voting against the motions to reduce costs.

“The motions that were put forth today weren’t in collaboration with the Service so as a board member, I have no idea what the impact of some of those numbers that were thrown on the table would be and that’s not responsible even though it sounds the way to go, my job is to be a responsible member of the board and a responsible Mayor and I will always do that.”

The proposed budget is set to go before city council on Thursday morning.

READ MORE: Hamilton Police Services Board approves 2.98 per cent police budget increase