By Jim Porthouse
Burlington Centre pays $649K for police but sees no officers in sight
March 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The high cost of municipal policing-averaging $200,000 annually per officer when accounting for salary, oversight, and equipment-has sparked a debate over resource allocation in commercial hubs. Large retail centers, such as the Burlington Centre, often face a 'double taxation' dilemma: they contribute significantly to the police budget through property taxes while simultaneously funding private security to manage on-site safety.
Is the Burlington Centre getting value for money based on the taxes they pay? Doesn't look that way.
The Financial Breakdown
Using the 2025 tax data for a major shopping center like Burlington Centre as a case study:
| Metric | Value (Approx.) | | --- | --- | | Total Property Tax Paid | $4.75 Million | | Police Service Allocation | 13.66% | | Direct Contribution to Police | $649,000 |
The 13.66 % is of the 4.75 million paid in taxes
Since these tax costs are bundled into commercial rent and eventually passed down to consumers through retail pricing, the public effectively pays twice-once for a public police force that is often absent from the premises, and again for the private guards required to deter theft.
A Shift in Priorities
There is a growing argument that police departments have drifted away from 'back-to-basics' community presence. Despite Burlington being a generally safe area, the current model prioritizes administrative tasks, highly specialized officers, or high-level interventions over visible foot patrols.
Key Considerations:
- The Rebate Question: Should businesses that provide their own security be entitled to a tax credit for the police services they aren't receiving?
- Visibility vs. Volume: The issue may not be a lack of police personnel, but rather their placement. Reallocating existing officers to high-traffic areas like malls could address rising concerns over vehicle and jewelry thefts more effectively than the current reactive model.
The goal is a more equitable system where the police are active participants in community safety, ensuring that tax dollars translate into a tangible, visible presence where it is needed most.
