An analysis of public comments shows that roughly four out of every five engaged Sarnia residents oppose the $91 million price tag for a new police headquarters, pointing to location concerns and alternative, fiscally responsible solutions.
The Sarnia Police Service's campaign to secure funding for a new $91 million headquarters (which could surpass $120 million) has hit a wall of overwhelming public skepticism, with four out of every five engaged residents voicing opposition or deep concern over the massive expenditure.
The Journal's analysis of approximately 190 unique public comments across eight separate social media posts by the Sarnia Police promoting the new facility reveals a powerful narrative of fiscal resistance and doubt about the project's necessity.
The public response, gathered from threads promoting videos and information about the proposed new building, broke down sharply against the police proposal:
Negative/Skeptical: Approximately 125 comments, representing about 66% of the feedback, expressed that the cost is "uncalled for", "outrageous", "ridiculous", or a "waste of money".
Pro-New Build/Supportive: Only around 25 comments, or roughly 13%, offered clear support, arguing the police "deserve better" and the current building is "outdated, small, deplorable".
Alternative Solutions: About 35 comments, or 18%, focused on proposing alternative solutions, showing an active search for a fiscally responsible compromise.
In total, approximately 84% of the Sarnians who weighed in are either actively opposing the cost or proposing alternatives to the current plan.
The most visceral reaction centres on the $91 million price tag, which many commenters find unjustifiable for a city of Sarnia's size.
Many critics pointed to the recent St. Thomas police station project, suggesting it was built for "less than half" the cost of Sarnia's proposal, while another pointed out that the entire Bluewater Health renovation cost was $319 million.
"91 million is a little uncalled for," wrote one resident, suggesting, "Also, if you want to be out of the city, we could probably pay the OPP for alot cheaper". Another commenter encapsulated the frustration, stating, "Cut the budget in half… the numbers don't work no matter how many posts you make".
Concerns are not limited to the headline number; the $1.5 million quote to fix the current front steps was singled out as "beyond ridiculous" and a sign of potential financial mismanagement.
A secondary, but highly charged, issue is the rumoured location for the new facility, described by residents as "on the outskirts of town", "out in no mans land", or "conveniently far away from the downtown area of the city they are suposed to serve".
The public overwhelmingly believes the Sarnia Police Service (SPS) headquarters should be "centrally located and in the heart of the city where most of the need is". While some commenters refuted this, explaining that police are dispatched from their vehicles, the call for a central base remains a philosophical requirement for many.
"Building on the out side of the city is ridiculous," wrote one commenter, insisting that a police station "needs to be central".
The public's criticism went beyond simply saying no and included actionable alternatives, a clear signal that Sarnians want a role in the decision-making process. The most popular solution suggested by residents is decentralization:
Precinct Model: Mentioned by nearly 15 residents, this proposal suggests adopting a model similar to the U.S., splitting the police presence into smaller, non-luxurious "precincts" or "substations" in key areas like the north and south end.
Renovate the Current Site: A strong cohort advocated to "repair and update for sure" or "remodel the existing station" to save millions, rejecting the idea that the 1987-era building is beyond repair. A consultant did find the existing station only needed basic upgrades, not replacement.
Repurpose Existing Vacant Buildings: Citizens suggested converting existing empty properties like the Peavey Mart building or the Research Park to reduce construction costs.
Finally, some residents challenged the overall spending priority, arguing that funds would be better spent on housing the unhoused or investing in addiction services, rather than a police facility.
The next challenge for the Sarnia Police Service and its Board is to respond not just to the need for a new facility, but to the widespread public demand for fiscal accountability and community-focused infrastructure.
