Since joining the council in 2020, I have served on the Safety Committee, in that time the committee, and council has achieved several key improvements that directly impact the well-being of our community:
• Flock System: Implemented in 2020, this license plate recognition system helps prevent and solve crimes by providing real-time alerts to officers, assisting in the identification of stolen vehicles, wanted individuals, and amber alerts.
• Police Training Simulator: Updated in 2022, this tool allows officers to practice real-world scenarios in a controlled environment, enhancing their preparedness and decision-making skills.
• MARCS Radio System: Adopted in 2023, this multi-agency communication system enables better coordination between Ontario law enforcement and regional, state, and federal agencies.
• School Resource Officer Program: Continues to provide security for our children in schools, reinforcing a safe learning environment.
Our police department responded to 17,418 calls of service in 2023—an average of 48 per day—with a total force of 23 officers and a police chief. This statistic underscores the level of dedication and hard work that our officers put into protecting our city every single day. To support their efforts, we must continue investing in personnel, training, and resources to meet growing safety demands.
One pressing issue is fire hydrant maintenance. Ontario has 803 hydrants, many installed in the 1950s and 1960s, and a significant number require urgent repairs or replacement. A well-maintained hydrant system is critical for fire response times and public safety. It is imperative that we implement a valve replacement strategy to extend their lifespan while simultaneously developing a more aggressive hydrant replacement program. Hydrants should not be replaced at a rate that would take 200 years to complete a full system update—we must address this backlog with urgency.
The Springfield Township Fire Department handles over 2,200 calls annually, but staffing shortages pose a serious challenge, particularly as the demand for EMS transport services continues to grow. The department operates on six separate levies, without financial contributions from the city of Ontario’s operating budget, but solely on property tax from the citizens, and property owners of Ontario, and Springfield Township. One major issue is that every time the city grants a tax abatement, it removes potential revenue from the township’s fire budget. I will work to restructure our tax incentive program to ensure that fire and EMS services remain adequately funded and that no single group of taxpayers bears the burden unfairly.
