Sarnia-Lambton's MP has joined the city's mayor in expressing concern about the unexpected closure of Sarnia's RCMP detachment.
Marilyn Gladu says she's extremely dismayed to have learned from local media that the detachment dating back to 1920, will be shut down, probably within the next year.
Gladu wants questions answered and is relaying her concerns all the way to the Prime Minister's Office.
"What is the timing, what is the plan, which services were being offered, who are they going to be transferred to?" asks Gladu. "It's possible that some services could be transferred to the police but I don't think they can assume all of the services. It's possible they're going to transfer things to the Canadian Border Services Agency, but it's unclear at this point."
Mayor Mike Bradley has contacted Canada's Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, saying closing the Sarnia office is not the right move for a border city in this day and age.
He says the local office was one of six original strategic locations in Ontario.
"We are a major border city and we do have all sorts of issues at the federal level including smuggling of human beings, and cigarettes and drugs," says Bradley. "An important part of stopping that is having the RCMP in the community, I don't think you can do drive-by policing out of London and Windsor."
RCMP Media Relations Officer Sergeant Penny Hermann says the decision to close the Sarnia detachment was made following a review of operations and the effectiveness and efficiency of maintaining the site.
"I don't have a closure date, but I believe it will be within a year," says Sergeant Hermann. "Currently there are four regular members and one public service employee. They will be relocated to areas and job functions in order for the RCMP to maintain delivery of efficient, professional service."
The Sarnia detachment is located in the federal building at the corner of Davis St. and Christina St.
-With files from Josh Boyce