OPP costs on the rise in Calvin Township

[Michael Jack]

‘Although crime is down, costs are up,’ Mayor Richard Gould said

Calvin Township will pay more for OPP service in 2026.

Total billing for next year will amount to $114,505, marking an 11 per cent increase over last year.

Mayor Richard Gould mentioned the OPP’s report provided numbers concerning declining calls. “It’s interesting to see that some crime statistics have been included, but it’s unfortunate that it compares Covid times to now, which did have an impact on certain types of crime. So, although crime is down, costs are up,” the mayor said.

In 2021, police responded to 108 calls in Calvin Township, and that number dropped to 49 in 2024. During the last four years, there was an average of 82 calls. On average, during those years, nine calls were for violent criminal code offences, four for traffic, 10 for property crime, four for other criminal code violations, nine for statutes and acts, and 48 were operational calls.

Operational calls range from animals being left in cars (one incident in 2024) to domestic disturbances (12 in 2022, 2 in 2024). Fires, noise complaints and suspicious people lurking about are also in the operational category. 'Trouble with Youth,' another operational category, increased from two incidents in 2023 to seven in 2024.

No calls were made for drugs or drug possession.

The monthly bill to the township will be $9,542 throughout 2026. This is for baseline service, using the previous four years to create the baseline numbers. For additional calls, the price increases.

David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/opp- ... p-11650741