Kitchener mayor, former chair of police services board propose reallocating leftover police budget

It's feeling a bit like a scramble to the finish line to finally make a decision about one contentious topic in our region. 

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic and Tom Galloway, a regional councillor and former chair of the regional police services board both tweeted police proposals on Sunday, which include plans to make upstream investments.

This comes after regional police reduced their ask for next year's budget by around $2 million, looking now for around $10.4 million.

In a tweet, Mayor Vrbanovic said, “We've heard from many–from those looking to re-allocate police budgets to those concerned about crime & wanting addition $'s. A safer community for all requires sustainable upstream investments.”

He suggested the region use the budget space leftover from the reduced police ask towards upstream investments starting next year, and over the next 10 years.

(2/2) Throughout @RegionWaterloo 2022 budget, we've heard from many – from those looking to re-allocate police budgets to those concerned about crime & wanting additional $'s. A safer community for all requires sustainable upstream investments. My budget proposal for Wednesday… pic.twitter.com/cVIh97OSot

— Berry Vrbanovic (@berryonline) December 12, 2021

But, one Twitter user responded that the mayor is creating a false distinction between people looking to reallocate and people concerned about crime.

The user said, “Council heard from those that believe throwing more $$ at WRPS is a mistake… and no one else.”

“those looking to re-allocate police budgets”
“those concerned about crime”

You're creating a false distinction. Council heard from those that believe throwing more $$ at WRPS is a mistake… and no one else.

— Gaius Pacificus (@GPacificus) December 13, 2021

Tom Galloway, a regional councillor and former chair of the police services board also proposed funding upstream initiatives.

He called the new proposed police budget “unsustainable” and asked that council reject it because it pushes costs into 2023. 

Galloway's proposal includes setting up a $500,000 Transition Fund, which would be funded on a one time basis, as well as a $1.5 million upstream Initiatives Fund. 

Here is my Budget Day police proposal. Investments in alternate service delivery, police reform and upstream initiatives. The new Police budget scenario out Friday is unsustainable. Pushes costs into 2023 at a predicted 8.6%, $17million increase pic.twitter.com/nwRNPs6wvY

— Tom Galloway (@tomjgalloway14) December 12, 2021

But, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Waterloo Region District School Board, Teneile Warren questioned how council could make these plans.

They tweeted, “Council has said it doesn’t control the police budget how can they reallocate it? So, what is the “fact”?”

Warren proposed that Reallocate WR be offered a full regional council meeting like the police to present an alternative budget. 

And if the region is seeking balance then I propose that ReallocateWR be offered a full Regional council meeting like the police to present an alternative budget. Since, they can’t see a path forward, allow these constituents to present their vision of a life-affirming region.

— Teneile Warren (@TeneileWarren) December 12, 2021

Reallocate WR also chimed in on the budget talks Monday morning. 

In a series of Twitter posts, it suggested that Galloway “dream a bit bigger” in his initial investment proposal and asked that initiatives be police-free.

It is our hope that the @RegionWaterloo council will lead with love & vote in favour of building a pathway for safe, sustainable futures.

As the head of both the council & the PSB @Redman4Region, “turn the tap off.” #ReallocateWR

— ReallocateWR (@ReallocateW) December 13, 2021

Regional police was looking to hire 35 new full-time positions, but now has plans to save money largely by adjusting these hiring dates.

It also expects to transfer funds from its general reserve. 

Last week, around half of delegations in the public input session urged council not to increase next year's police funding.

Final budget approval is set for December 15.