Harvey Simmons speaks out for the candidates of Mayor that remain silent. He notices that the candidates were afraid to mention the gross budget for the Toronto police. The Toronto police budget stands at nearly 1 billion per year. This means the police consume more of Toronto's operating budget than the fire service, Emergency Medical Service, and public health combined. What's worse, when Torontonians complain about another rise in taxes, more than 24% of that goes to the police. More than the TTC, public health, children's services, and Emergency Medical Services combined as listed above. The police enjoy enormous popularity with the public, they have powerful and combative union behind them. However, no relation between numbers of police officers, police expenditures, and crime rate. No matter what the police may say, or the public believe, studies have proven that crime rate is because of the economy, wages, and the change in the market for illegal drugs. This means that the 1 billion dollars on the police is merely a waste of the taxpayers money and an excuse for the Toronto police to live a life of luxury.
Though I do believe our "protection" as citizens is important, the gross overpayment of the Toronto police officers is unacceptable and should be changed. The police are important, but the budget should not outmatch fire services, Emergency Medical Services, public health, TTC, and children services combined. Also, the public cannot believe everything the media and police have to say. If proven statistics say that more policemen and better equipment will not reduce the crime rate in Toronto, then why continue to supply the police department with such gross over payments of funding? This wasted money on firearms and equipment could be used for better transport services, better public health care, better childcare, etc. yet the government continues to pour money into the police departments coffers. Police funding is obviously necessary, however, there is no point in supplying the police with a billion dollars if it will go to waste anyway. The money should be used on more productive elements.
Though I do believe our "protection" as citizens is important, the gross overpayment of the Toronto police officers is unacceptable and should be changed. The police are important, but the budget should not outmatch fire services, Emergency Medical Services, public health, TTC, and children services combined. Also, the public cannot believe everything the media and police have to say. If proven statistics say that more policemen and better equipment will not reduce the crime rate in Toronto, then why continue to supply the police department with such gross over payments of funding? This wasted money on firearms and equipment could be used for better transport services, better public health care, better childcare, etc. yet the government continues to pour money into the police departments coffers. Police funding is obviously necessary, however, there is no point in supplying the police with a billion dollars if it will go to waste anyway. The money should be used on more productive elements.
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/771685--now-is-the-time-to-discuss-city-s-massive-police-budget
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