$2.00 ILTON HALTON POLICE BOARD PASSES $155.4 MILLION POLICE BUDGET BUDGET INCLUDES $20.5 MILLION FOR CONSOLIDATED MILTON/HALTON HILLS STATION DAVID LEA dlea@metroland.com The Halton Regional Police Services Board voted Thursday, Oct. 25, to approve a 2019 budget of $155.4 million for the police ser- vice. The budget, which must still be approved by Regional Council, is $5.3 million larger than the 2018 police operating budget. and with- in the Halton Region's guideline of an increase restricted to 3.5 per cent. Halton Police Chief Stephen Tanner noted the priorities of this budget are to: «Maximize deployment of new officers to front-line duties -Upgrade/replace front-line technology tools +Research/implement effi- cient digital storage ave LO flyers. coupons. Salejsis lal NINE IMPACTING YOUR WR «Deploy the separate LTE wireless network for first re- sponders «Finish normalizing opera- tions at the new police headquar- ters -Plan for the consolidation of Milton/Halton Hills facilities in a new station To achieve these goals the bud- get calls for the hiring of 14 new police officers including 12 front- line patrol officers and two super- visors for the Forensic Identifica- tion Unit. "We are feeling some pres- sures because of growth at the front line," said Tanner. Some of the other budget driv- ers include $1.2 million for the LTE Project, which will include See FUNDS, page 10 lan Champion. 2 WEEKLY IN PRINT. MUCH MORE ONLINE ANYTIME. InsideHalton.com QUIET REFLECTION Graham Paine / Metroland Korean war veteran and founder of Veterans Helping Veterans Fred Smith, an advocate for PTSD survivors, observes a moment of silence with his service dog Eyelet at his side during the Remembrance Day Service at the Victoria Park cenotaph on Saturday afternoon, following a parade along Main Street. See more photos on page 13. Rupert" Hawkins It is nearly Christmas! The slogan "a Pet is for Life not just for Christmas" was THURSDAY (CINREY © TE v/ Noncommissioned sales tear v/' Huge selection of new and used / Top trade-in value available @et more community news now @ idenarton.com READ MORE @ INSIDEHALTON.COM Looking for more online? Check out these stories... Halton small businesses find community through coworking Three dozen people attend two Halton meetings on Imperial Oil pipeline replacement pro- ject Annual Nativity. pageant fast approaching Halton pets featured in Pet Valu's 2019 calendar created 35 years ago! It is as relevant now as it was in the late 1970's. As a result, post-Christmas pet abandonment slightly declined. This strong message is with us 365 days a year. Fittingly, | would like to send out a huge "Thank you" to all the al wonderful humans, who rescue unwanted, neglected or abused cats and dogs, giving them care and love, security and a second chance in life. | was rescued, so | know! Thank You. Signed 'Rupert' IF ONLY PETS COULD SPEAK, Hawkins Animal Hospital 5s ey eran 905-875-6888 / Industry leading loyalty program | i