MARATHON - OPP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Cam Ducharme sat delegated with Marathon’s Council to provide an update on what they find are the key initiatives moving into the new year.
With Marathon’s population set to steadily grow with the opening of Generation Mine, Ducharme suggests an active approach with community partners is key to ensure that crime doesn’t rise with the newcomers in the community.
“It’s good to engage with those community partners that are coming in, right? We are seeing that in Greenstone now as well,” said Ducharme.
From a policing standpoint, Ducharme explains that OPP would ensure that mine workers’ safety and security protocols are in place so that there is no direct result in an increase in property crime.
“I think that engaging with community partners as soon as they get here to ensure we are all on the same page and that we don’t want crime rates or anything else to go up within the community,” said Ducharme.
Councillor Ray Lake excitingly points out that the OPP detachment is visible because it is the first thing newcomers will see when they enter the Town of Marathon.
“I just feel protected that it’s there and it sends a little message that they’re watching,” said Lake.
Mayor Rick Dumas reflects Lake’s sentiment, but also reflects that he had consultations with Generation Mines regarding their 300-plus-person camps.
“There are very few incidents at all. I think they have a very good protocol policy that as well,” said Dumas.
Ducharme acknowledges that calls for service have not gone up dramatically since there has been an increase in the population, but still maintains that proactively engaging with incoming partners before issues arise is key to maintaining a safe community.
