Is violence decreasing on Metro Vancouver transit? Police, union disagree
It’s been one year since dozens of recommendations were made by the Canadian Urban Transit Association about how to improve transit safety and security, but transit police in Metro Vancouver and the union representing operators disagree on whether incidents have decreased.
Jon MacMull, the director of communications with CUTA, said some of the recommendations introduced last year include investing in enforcement staff and "taking a community outreach approach to dealing with vulnerable individuals people who are unhoused or need help with mental health."
MacMull said he's encouraged that some recommendations have been met, but the association is still pushing to make changes to the law, including calling for an amendment to be made to the criminal code to create stronger sentencing for assaults on transit workers.
“They’re on the frontline getting people where they need to go and we want to make sure that assaults on these individuals are not tolerated, it would be a strong signal to ensure safety and security on our transit systems,” MacMull said.
According to Metro Vancouver Transit Police, violence on transit in the region has decreased in the past year.
“Stats say and my experience is that crimes against persons, and crimes against property has decreased,” Const. Travis Blair told CTV News Vancouver.
Blair says crimes against people are down 22 per cent and crimes against property is down 28 per cent.
But Balbir Mann, president of Unifor Local 111, which represents transit operators, disagrees.
“I don’t know how they could say that, they’ve never been on the buses, our members want them to ride the buses,” he said, when told the numbers were decreasing.
Mann says so far this year nine transit workers have been assaulted compared to the same time last year when seven assaults were recorded.
“They’re getting verbally, physically abused for you know, the bus being late, the bus being overcrowded,” said Mann.
The union is calling for more transit police and security on board buses.
Transit police say they’ve hired 20 additional community peace officers in the wake of several violent incidents that unfolded in 2023.
“We have staff and personal on the sky train and buses as well, anyone in a uniform just lets the public know there’s someone they can go to,” Blair said.
Anyone who feels unsafe while riding transit can calll 604-515-8300 or text 87-77-77 to reach a transit police officer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.