Premiers, police chiefs to hold virtual meeting to discuss violent crime
Leaders across the country are grappling with how to deal with increasing violence on transit systems and will meet virtually Friday for a high-profile discussion on possible solutions.
According to a news release, premiers and chiefs of police will discuss public safety, violent crime, and investments to address root causes of crime.
In the meantime, in B.C., the first line of defence is presence.
Metro Vancouver Transit Police Const. Travis Blair told CTV News that riders will notice more officers on buses and SkyTrains and at bus stops and bus loops.
In addition, he said, while on board, transit riders can push the yellow strip, or text 87-77-77 for help.
The goal, said Blair, is "to help reinstate, restore, assure the public the transit system is safe."
After the death of 17-year-old Ethan Bespflug, who was stabbed while on a bus, beefing up police presence along transit routes is a priority.
Yet, expectations of a massive presence need to be tempered. Blair pointed out there are more than 1,100 buses in the Metro Vancouver transit system, which covers 1,800 kilometres. Transit police may also be competing with the RCMP and municipal departments for officers.
"Resources are a challenge for everyone at this time, and sort of always have been. We do have resources – money set aside to hire more officers – and that is what we're always looking at doing," Blair added.
During a heated question period Tuesday, BC United pointed the finger at the NDP for underfunding officers. Yet the opposition critic, Elenore Sturko, admits that alone won't help.
"It's your abject failure to deal with the root causes of crime, your failure to deal with mental health and addictions, social issues. Adding more police to the problem is like putting a band-aid on a cancer," Sturko said in the legislature.
The Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth fired back about cuts made by the opposition when they were in government under the name of the BC Liberals.
"We know that it is about the root causes of crime, which is why we have been taking actions to undo the neglect, the negligence on that side when they sat on this side," added Farnworth.
Many experts say the pandemic made things worse. For years, police across the country have pointed out they're often on the front lines of mental health crises. Blair said even if mental health experts stepped in, officers would still be needed to ensure the workers' safety.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.