Chatham-Kent police say they are gearing up to handle possible increases in crime and safety concerns once marijuana is legalized and a legal pot shop comes to the municipality.
The municipality recently received news from the provincial finance ministry that Chatham-Kent will be home to at least one provincially-operated cannabis retail store by July.
Chatham-Kent Police Service Chief Gary Conn says he worries about the potential consequences of legalizing the drug.
"Marijuana can have a serious impact on the safety of communities and obviously, the health of communities across Chatham-Kent. It could lead to potential increases in criminal activity and property crime," says Conn.
Conn says it will be interesting to review data and information in the community after marijuana is legalized and a store comes to Chatham-Kent.
"The question that will probably be posed is, are there any correlations in regards to increases in motor-vehicle collisions, youth crime, arrests, and potential health concerns--perhaps more hospitalizations related to marijuana?" says Conn.
Conn adds that to date, the police service has not received any direction on funding from either the provincial or federal government. He suspects funding will be up for discussion soon.
"One of the concerns is surrounding funding to our police service in respect to resources and training for our officers in respect to marijuana. For example, we will require more DREs, which are drug recognition experts, and FSOs, field sobriety officers, to both enforce and regulate the new legislation," says Conn.
Conn says the police service must wait until funding is discussed to prepare budgets and figure out how training will work.