Peel Region police are taking a very different approach with their new community station in downtown Brampton.

The “Brampton Virtual Community Station,” which will be on George Street, across from city hall, will be mostly unmanned and will utilize remote video technology to allow visitors to communicate with officers and ask questions.

According to Const. Sarah Patten, there are still details to be ironed out, but the force expects the new substation to be operational by late June.

Patten added that visitors to the station will be able to report both emergency and non-emergency incidents. But some services, such as traffic accident reporting, will need to be done at other dedicated locations already set up for those kind of specific tasks.

Police officers will directly take calls from the new station during regular business hours on Monday to Friday, while those using the site on evenings and weekends will be directed to central communications and rerouted to the appropriate department.

Officers will be able to use the station when and where needed, but the station will use remote technology almost exclusively.

Chief Nishan Duraiappah told council in February the virtual station is an example of a new emphasis on innovation technology as the force moves forward under his new leadership. Duraiappah was sworn-in as the new chief in October 2019.

“Innovation technology, without a doubt, will be woven into what we’re doing because it’s a vehicle for enhancing public safety,” he said.

Brampton council has long advocated for a new community station to increase Peel police’s presence downtown.

“I guess there isn’t a member (of council) up here that wouldn’t say Brampton is underserviced when it comes to Peel Regional Police,” he told Duraiappah at the Feb. 5 council meeting, adding he’s looking forward to hearing more about what Peel police has planned for the city and its downtown core.

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Graeme Frisque is a reporter for Mississauga News and Brampton Guardian. Reach him via email: gfrisque@metroland.com

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