Students, arts groups push back at police request in city budget

Emmanuel Akanbi is a 21-year-old Western University student who, over the past few weeks, has devoted a lot of his study time to the London city budget.

He's read through reams of documents and watched hours of budget discussions from council chambers streamed on YouTube. And while he has devoted a lot of effort to the budget, he's not a fan of where it's heading. Pending any significant last-minute budget amendments, London will have a property tax increase averaging 7.5 per cent over the next four years with a particularly painful 8.7 per cent rise in 2024.

For the average London home assessed at $250,000, it will mean more than $1,000 out of pocket over the four years.

"When I saw the numbers about how much they're increasing property tax, I thought, 'Wow, that's a lot,'" said Akanbi. "That was really alarming to me."

Much of the tax increase London is lurching toward is driven by an unprecedented request from the police. They're seeking a $672-million boost above their base budget over four years to hire 97 new officers, but to also pay for everything from a new training centre to vehicle upgrades and new equipment. You can read details about the police budget request here. 

The police request accounts for more than half the 8.7 per cent tax increase for 2024. Police Chief Thai Truong has told council it's needed to keep up with the policing needs of one of Canada's fastest-growing cities. 

However, Akanbi doesn't believe more money for police will lead to better service.

"For me, it's concerning that increasing the police budget by so much is the singular approach they're taking to increasing public safety," he said. "It seems like it's being put forward with no real scrutiny." 

47 submissions questioning budget

That scrutiny appears to be picking up ahead of Tuesday's public participation meeting on the budget. Akanbi and 46 others have turned in written submissions to the city. 

There is a joint submission from Museum London, the London Public Library, London Arts Council and the Grand Theatre saying the budget as it stands will have a negative impact on them. 

Another joint submission from five organizations including Anova and the London Abused Women's Centre questions the police request for millions in staff and equipment. 

"Establishing strong ties with community partners can facilitate a more holistic and effective approach to combatting crimes such as intimate partner violence, sexual assault and human trafficking," their submission reads. 

Most councillors support police budget as is

It's difficult to say how much potential the submissions will have to shift council's stance. 

Last week, Coun. Skylar Franke's motion to peel $8 million out of the police's budget request and divert it to homelessness programs was decisively defeated on a 3-12 vote. 

Coun. Anna Hopkins isn't ready to let the budget pass in its current form without a second look. 

She drafted a motion for Thursday's council meeting calling for five per cent to be carved out of certain elements of the police budget request. 

"I think it's reasonable to ask questions and get a better understanding of how the police budget can share in the fiscal constraints that we're asking other boards, agencies and commissions to do," said Hopkins. 

However, Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis said he won't support even putting Hopkins's motion on the floor for a vote.

The police request before council now is lower than what the Police Services Board initially recommended, Lewis said. Also, he said any police chief who feels council is cutting back money needed to police effectively can appeal to the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC). 

"The municipality does not get the final say on the police budget," said Lewis. "'I have zero doubt that if this was appealed, the police would get their full budget ask. 

"What I've heard from a lot of my constituents is that they call police and nobody comes," he said. "They're tired of not feeling safe in their own neighbourhoods. And while they're going to feel the pinch of this budget increase, they're saying 'At least I'm going to get something for my money.'" 

The public participation meeting on the city budget starts Tuesday at 4 p.m. in council chambers.