New regional police headquarters opening this summer
Posted Jun 6, 2023 03:48:00 PM.
The Central Division Building will be open to the public by late August or early September of this year.
Mark Crowell, the chief of police with the Waterloo Regional Police Service, provided the update during his appearance on ‘The Mike Farwell Show’ on Tuesday.
He explained that the current location is over 75 years old and long passed it’s due date.
“It will give us some enhanced capacity, modern facility, a new central cell block facility as well.” Crowell said.
The new police headquarters will be located at the former courthouse on Frederick Street.
Regional council approved the project in February 2021 at a cost of $44 million.
During his appearance on the program, Crowell also spoke on the recent ‘Project Warrior’ investigation conducted by Regional Police.
The collaboration with Brantford police resulted in the seizure of four handguns, an automatic rifle and replica firearms, along with magazines and ammunition.
The five month long investigation also led to police finding $20,000 in Canadian currency, as well as a large amount of suspected methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl.
Crowell remarked that the profit margins that people are making in organized crime has increased significantly during the opioid crisis.
“Whether it’s trafficking and drugs, or weapons, we’re seeing that people are profiting significantly, even veering into human trafficking.” Crowell explained.
Scott Griffiths, staff sergeant with the Waterloo Regional Police Traffic Services, also spoke on ‘The Mike Farwell Show’.
He commented on the recent crackdown on speeding at McQueen Shaver Boulevard in Cambridge, calling it an indicator of a problem that is region wide.
“It may be unintentionally that some of that stretch, as it was developed initially, has become a bit of an attraction for the fast and furious crowd.” Griffiths remarked.
The Staff Sergeant’s comments come after regional police laid 23 charges in three hours after patrolling McQueen Shaver Boulevard in late May.
The traffic blitz also resulted in the seizure of 8 vehicles, as well as 8 drivers having their license suspended.
