Re: 鈥淐osts for Regina Park camp could add up to $1M,鈥� Sept. 26.
It is misleading to have the public believe that Saanich police incurred additional costs of $315,000 to the end of September for the antics in Regina Park, unless every officer was at the park on overtime.
The uniformed officers are salaried. Saanich police provides 365-day/24-hour service to the community.
The almost-absent chief constable has the ability to deploy officers on each shift from traffic duties or school liaison to any emerging issues on general patrol. This is not an additional cost to the department, it is moving resources to where the greater need exists.
Much goes the same for the parks department. The employees might not have been performing activities in the seasonal operational plan when cleaning up at Regina Park. However, they were still budgeted to be at work.
We should remain aware of the cost, compared with the additional costs incurred.
B.R. Smith
Duncan
