Chatham-Kent’s police chief is responding to the raising concerns about a new police shooting range in Chatham.
Chief Gary Conn released a statement Monday to help clarify the public's questions about the new $900,000 range on Dillion Road.
"This is an unfortunate set of circumstances and as a result, I will provide some context to this matter," the statement read.
According to the statement, police officers in Ontario are provincially mandated to requalify their firearms each year. In the past 24 years, Conn said the CKPS has moved its firing range three times.
"At each previous location - Cedar Springs and Dresden - we received and expect complaints from residents in the immediate area," said Conn. "This current location on Dillion Line is no different."
In an attempt to mitigate the complaints, Conn said the police service had spoken to three property owners in the area and at that time, none had any issues with the range.
"We did this as a professional courtesy although it is not required, while in addition to speaking directly with Mr. Paul Lacina - Director of Building Development Services," said Conn.
Conn explained that the range is up to current bylaws and exceptions for police ranges. He said that Mr. Lacina advised the service that discharging firearms is permissible Monday to Sunday between all hours, excluding the hours of 11 p.m. - 7 a.m.
"This provision applies to all of Chatham-Kent, including the range location," said Conn.
According to Conn, the current location is municipal private property in a rural area that is zoned as rural industrial, not residential.
"It is also central for all of Chatham-Kent which is ideal for our purposes," said Conn.
While the range is still in the process of being completed, Conn said once finished the range will include further sound abatement initiatives including trees, shrubs, baffles, and a pressure-treated fence on top of the berm.