There is a shortage of RCMP officers to patrol the town of Shelburne and some residents fear the crime rate will jump as a result. However, Mayor Karen Mattatall doesn't think that will happen. She says: "It just happens to be a situation where four officers at the same time ended up having time off. Its probably quite unique. The issue seems to be Ottawa doesn't have a very good plan in place for when that happens." Mayor Mattattal says she and her council have received assurances from the RCMP their numbers will be back to the normal complement in the spring. There are usually ten officers available but that number's been cut in half by officers who have left the force or taken sick leave.
