Posted on: March 13, 2024 A consultant’s examination of Beaumont’s needs for policing, fire services, and municipal enforcement as the community continues to grow suggests options for Council and Administration. On Tuesday night, Council received a report from Transitional Services Inc. that looks at potential infrastructure, personnel, service level, and other requirements for the Protective Services department. Among the recommendations, the report proposes the City build a multi-service station and new fire hall, increase police and municipal enforcement coverage, and begin working towards a 24/7 full-time fire service over the next 10 years to maintain response times. “This is a very safe city and we’ve been well-served by our municipal enforcement staff, fire services team, and the RCMP. Beaumont’s population has grown at one of the fastest rates in Alberta and we’re reaching the threshold now where we have to make important decisions for the future of the services that protect our community,” said Daneluik. “The consultant’s report gives us numerous options to consider and analyze. There are some significant investments proposed and they need to be examined in a larger context with the safety of the community as one of our highest priorities.” The report provides cost estimates for the three service areas and identifies opportunities, such as partnering with neighbouring municipalities to enhance mutual emergency response coverage and share costs. Council approved a motion to apply to the Alberta government’s Indigenous and Municipal Police Transition Grant to study policing and community safety models and the feasibility of sharing resources with other RCMP detachments in the region. “The cost of policing is increasing significantly and we need to explore ways to be more cost-effective,” said the Mayor. “As the population grows, crime trends change, and the administration of cases becomes more complex, there may be opportunities to share specialized resources, such as criminal investigation units, with other municipalities.” Administration is analyzing TSI’s report to develop options for implementing the recommendations. A number of short-term actions, such as exploring an offsite levy on new development for fire services, updating the mutual aid agreement with Leduc County, and developing a municipal level of service policy, are already underway or will begin shortly. Recommendations with significant cost impacts will be considered with the deliberation of annual budgets for 2025 and subsequent years. Media contact:Mike BerezowskyDirector, Communications780-243-0458mike.berezowsky@beaumont.ab.ca