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The population of Port Colborne and Wainfleet may only be about 35,000, but the area at 340 square km is huge.
Port Colborne has always had a police detachment in town, but there’s serious discussion that this building may close, and its 35 uniformed officers dispatched out of Welland.
Chief Jeff McGuire says closing Port Colborne would save about $330,000 a year. The building itself costs about $60,000 to maintain.
The officers who work here now would cover Port Colborne out of Welland.
Residents Doris and Rhonda Gravelle don’t like the idea at all.
“Because they would have to come from Welland, and i find that there’s more violent crime and stuff. It’s at least 20 minutes away if they come from Welland.”
Port Colborne detectives already work out of Welland.
Port Colborne mayor Vance Badawey is concerned about proactive policing programs being gutted, and the shoreline not being properly patrolled.
There’s been talk of closing the Port Colborne detachment before. The difference this time is that there’s more pressure on the chief to cut costs and save money.