The first meeting of the COPS committee fall season was held Tuesday September 2nd. We much enjoyed a presentation by a guest speaker, Mr. Peter Buglass, Deputy- Superintendent in charge of Programs at the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre.

The Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre is the Provincial owned and operated jail in London that serves London and surrounding communities including Oxford County. Peter spoke about daily life for an inmate in the correctional facility and the programs available to assist those incarcerated prior to their return to the community (most people sent to jail do return to their home communities after their release).

It was surprising to learn the number of inmates housed there, which is currently about 425 males and 40 females. They are linked electronically with the courts, so for routine custody remands and trial date setting; the prisoner doesn’t even have to leave jail. This makes for a safer environment for all as it reduces the number of prisoners being transported about the area.

The latter is only a snip-it of the information Peter was able to share with us, and we would welcome him back again anytime.

The COPS committee are citizens of Ingersoll who come together to partner with police to identify and resolve community issues together. We believe in supporting our police for a strong, healthy and safe community.

Our meetings are the first Tuesday of each month September to June at 6:45 pm, in the Community Room upstairs at Hurley’s Independent Grocer. We are attempting to utilize guest speakers or field trips on alternate meeting dates. The next business meeting is October 7th.

New members welcome – or feel free to drop in for a meeting regardless.

Beverly A. Martin
Chair
Ingersoll COPS Committee