As policing costs associated with a murder in Sooke rise, the townB次元官网网址檚 mayor warns that a tax hike could result.
The Sooke RCMP and the Vancouver Island Major Crime Unit (VIMCU) launched an investigation into a murder on May 15 after the body of a man was found at a Throup Road residence, leading investigators to suspect foul play.
A person of interest was arrested at the scene, but no charges have been filed.
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This year, the District of SookeB次元官网网址檚 police budget is $2,443,607 but that only covers the regular operations of the RCMP. Major crimes, such as murders, terrorism and cocaine trafficking, are handled differently.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e a growing community, and our problems grow with it,B次元官网网址� said Mayor Maja Tait, adding that an investigation could cost thousands, if not millions, of dollars.
Tait says VIMCU is like an insurance policy that prevents municipalities from having to pay enormous fees for special police investigations.
Sooke had the opportunity to help fund the VIMCU several years ago, but an earlier council decided against it.
The districtB次元官网网址檚 decision to not join a primary crime unit is B次元官网网址渆xtremely short-sighted,B次元官网网址� said John Treleaven, chair of the Grumpy Taxpayers of Greater Victoria, a citizensB次元官网网址� advocacy group.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not what IB次元官网网址檇 expect from any level of government,B次元官网网址� he said.
In recent years, Sooke council has bid to be a part of VIMCU, but the province put the request on the backburner as it reviews the Police Act.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e met directly with the minister responsible for VIMCU to share our concerns,B次元官网网址� Tait said. B次元官网网址淭hey listen and understand, but we still canB次元官网网址檛 access the program.B次元官网网址�
In support of expenses outside the current police service agreement, the district regularly contributes to a reserve fund. In addition, the fund is used to hire more local police officers as the community grows. The fund stands at $529,815.
Tait said the district is still waiting for the cost of the murder investigation, and she hopes because the suspect and victim knew each other, it will be less of a financial burden on Sooke taxpayers.
B次元官网网址淚t becomes challenging and more expensive when there are no suspects, then the costs escalate,B次元官网网址� she said.
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editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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