Victoria – The Province, in co-operation with British Columbia’s Urban Mayors’ Caucus (BCUMC), has hired two experts to investigate and report on prolific offenders and random violent attacks, and the necessary actions.
In April, B.C.’s urban mayors sent detailed information to the Attorney General and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General indicating that despite overall decreases in provincial and community crime rates, shifting crime patterns during the pandemic were particularly hurting downtown retail areas. This letter followed advocacy by the mayors of Terrace, Trail, Quesnel and some other smaller rural communities similarly affected. Meetings with local and provincial police have confirmed these trends and pointed to a separate issue of random violent attacks in some centres.
“Simply because we are compassionate, concerned and taking action on mental health and addiction issues does not mean that we have to accept criminal behaviour, vandalism or violence in our communities,” said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing.
The investigation and recommendations will be completed by two people: Doug LePard, former Vancouver Police Department deputy chief and former Metro Vancouver Transit police chief, who has authored several reports and sets of recommendations related to issues of crime and police response; and Amanda Butler, a health researcher and criminologist whose specialities include mental health, substance-use disorders, criminal justice systems and prison health.
