CORNWALL – Under a climate of February’s anti-mandate protests, Cornwall police spent an additional 600 hours to secure the Seaway City and it border with Akwesasne and the United States.
“To date, over 600 hours have been spent in additional coverage to ensure the security of the community and, in particular, the Cornwall port of entry,” Chief Shawna Spowart told the police board Thursday morning.
Spowart was giving an update on Cornwall’s involvement in policing both the Ottawa so-called “Freedom Convoy” and also the Feb. 12 tractor demonstration at the intersection of Water Street and Brookdale Avenue.
Spowart says she offered services to the Ottawa Police Service to help with their “long and arduous” conflict.
Twenty-two of the force’s 93 uniformed police officers were also formally recognized during the meeting for stepping up and going above and beyond the call of duty. Their work in the nation’s capital will be paid for by the Ottawa Police Service.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work of our service in effectively mobilizing police resources while ensuring public safety, maintaining peace, order and security,” the chief said.
Board chairwoman Elaine MacDonald called Cornwall’s work in Ottawa a “well coordinated operation.”
The exact cost of the 600 additional hours in Cornwall or its implications on the police budget were not shared during the meeting.