Ontarians on St. Lawrence River noticing border security boost

Residents along the St. Lawrence River are used to hearing the blare of ship horns, but in recent weeks they've noticed a new noise — the heavy thump of helicopter blades as Black Hawks swoop over their homes.

"It's a whooping sound," explained Patricia Baker who lives with her husband Ralph in Iroquois, Ont. "It's fairly loud."

The droning beat from the choppers isn't the only evidence of Canada's enhanced security along the U.S. border.

During daily lunch trips to the public docks in nearby Morrisburg, the Bakers have also spotted RCMP cruisers patrolling the area.

"I think it's a good thing, especially with today's political climate," Patricia said, alluding to tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has cited border security as a main concern.

The Bakers live so close to the border they need only squint to see the homes of their American neighbours across the frozen river.

The couple said they don't mind having more police around, or even the din from the helicopters, but they are skeptical it will make much of a difference.

"I think if we can do something to make things better, good," Patricia said. "But I'm not sure much is going to appease the other side at the moment."

RCMP adds almost 200 officers at border

The Black Hawks are part of a $1.3-billion federal security plan announced after Trump's threats. The government is also adding drones and more front-line personnel.

RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said the plan is to lease four choppers next year, spreading them across the country.

"It's having that capability of mobilizing troops rapidly to intercept anybody who's coming across the border," he told CBC's Ottawa Morning Thursday.

Duheme said the RCMP has boosted its presence at the border by 35 per cent. He estimated the increase works out to roughly 200 more officers.

Asked about pulling staff away from their regular roles, the commissioner described law enforcement as a "balancing act" between public safety and other priorities.

"In today's world the priorities are shifting quickly," Duheme said.

One of the officers who volunteered for border duty is Cpl. Daniel Cassidy.

He usually works in the Greater Toronto Area but signed up for a 60-day rotation, an action that underlines the current significance being given to security between Canada and the U.S.

"We're short staffed all over the country, essentially, so it's hard to find the people," Cassidy said, standing next to his cruiser in Gananoque, Ont. "So [we] just rely on people's goodwill to come and do what we can to help where there's a crisis."

The response from residents in eastern Ontario has been positive, he added, but the increase in Mounties is drawing lots of comments too.

"Everybody I talked to says that they're not used to seeing RCMP walking around Ontario because we're rarely here," Cassidy said.

Changes could stop illegal guns from U.S., mayor says

South Dundas Mayor Jason Broad said he hears from community members every day about the boost in law enforcement activity.

"We see the choppers as well as the police cars at our docks along our river," he said. "The residents are happy that we're increasing our border control."

Broad said he sees the change as offering benefits for Canadians.

"We're friends with the United States, but it's up to us to protect our border as well," he explained.

"We don't want illegal guns traveling to Canada. So it's not all about the exporting of fentanyl or immigrants to the United States. It's also about protecting ourselves from them."

The mayor said one unexpected by-product of border fears is that it's brought him closer with his counterpart in Waddington, N.Y.

The two have now opened lines of communication and started conversations about tourism and other possible partnerships.

Regardless of whether all of the increased security makes a difference, or actually appeases Trump, Broad said he believes it's worth trying.

"We can't leave anything to chance. Anything we can do can help," he said. "We're in it together. The American public are our friends."