Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow says the town’s municipal police service is delivering value that goes well beyond emergency response.
Pankow says the Smiths Falls Police Service remains a better fit for the town than switching to the OPP because local officers are part of the community they serve. He says residents see them at schools, public events, food programs and community gatherings, which helps build trust before a crisis happens.
Pankow pointed to Const. Sean Keogan’s role as community services officer, saying his presence at the recent Spirit of the Drum Pow Wow showed how approachable local officers can be.
Pankow, who has spent almost 12 years on the Police Services Board, says local knowledge also matters when crime happens. He says officers who know the town can recognize patterns, know repeat offenders and respond with a deeper understanding of the community.
He says Smiths Falls residents also benefit from having officers assigned directly to the town at all times.
Pankow acknowledges policing is one of the largest costs in the municipal budget. He says recent increases were needed because officers were working too much overtime and coming in on days off or vacation.
He says the town had to invest more to keep officers healthy, attract new recruits and make Smiths Falls a place where police want to build their careers.
Pankow says quick local response also makes a difference when several calls happen at once.
He says having officers close to home helps the town deal with collisions, domestic calls and emergencies without leaving the community exposed.
