Mayors and councillors from across B.C. push NDP government for action, not words on public safety

Local leaders from across B.C. joined together Wednesday to call on the government to take action on street disorder and crime.

Municipal leaders from across B.C. joined together Wednesday in a unified call for Victoria and Ottawa to take more action against street disorder and crime in the province.

Nearly 60 mayors and councillors stood on the front steps of the legislature demanding the government inside lead with action, not words..

The demonstration was organized by the group Save our Streets, which first raised concerns about public safety and street disorder a year ago.

The group and politicians – including members of the B.C. Conservatives – are calling for more Crown prosecutors, stricter bail reform, more effective drug treatment and supportive housing, along with broader application of involuntary care. They say the province has simply not done enough to address the problem.

“Our streets, our businesses, our communities, our people are feeling overwhelmed,” Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West told the crowd, flanked by fellow municipal politicians.

Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog weighed in with his frustration about what he characterized as a lack of urgent response from the provincial and federal governments. “This is not the British Columbia that our citizens deserve. This should be a priority to deal with that crisis,” the former NDP MLA said.

Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger says her government is taking action, and pointed to lowering numbers from Statistics Canada for the crime severity index in B.C.

“We are acting each and every day. And in my role as solicitor general I must thank the work of our police,” Krieger told reporters following the rally. “They lead with some expertise and dedication.”

Clearly, though, many municipal leaders and business groups across B.C. don’t agree that enough is being done.

Not only did they rally at the legislature to make that point Wednesday, but there are 14 resolutions during this week’s Union of B.C. Municipalities meetings related to crime, public safety and street disorder.