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
Ontario gave parents more than $1B in cash over 2 years. Here's where the money went
During the pandemic, the Ontario government started to hand out cash to parents to help offset the cost of at-home learning while schools were shuttered.
One dead, 26 wounded in overnight shooting in Ohio: reports
A shooting on a street in Akron, Ohio, killed one man and wounded 26 other people early Sunday morning, according to reports by local news outlets.
Do this once a month and extend your life by up to 10 years. No gym required
Research shows that art experiences, whether as a maker or a beholder, transform our biology by rewiring our brains and triggering the release of neurochemicals, hormones and endorphins.
Ambassador says interactions with Russia 'quite limited' but 'not unfriendly'
Canada's ambassador to Russia says while Ottawa has 'grave concerns' about the Kremlin's 'longer-term trends,' the war in Ukraine is 'a primary barrier to a change in the relationship.'
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Mass parachute jump over Normandy kicks off commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day
Parachutists jumping from Second World War-era planes hurled themselves Sunday into now peaceful Normandy skies where war once raged, heralding a week of ceremonies for the fast-disappearing generation of Allied troops who fought from D-Day beaches 80 years ago.
Lanny McDonald and a few old Flames take the Stanley Cup on a surprise visit to the man who saved his life
The Stanley Cup was passing through town Friday, and Lanny Legend took it upon himself to take it for a surprise visit.
South Korea vows 'unbearable' retaliation against North Korea over its launch of trash balloons
South Korea said Sunday it’ll soon take retaliatory steps against North Korea over its launch of trash-carrying balloons across the border and other provocations.
Chad Daybell sentenced to death for killing wife and girlfriend’s two children in jury decision
Jurors resumed deliberations Saturday on whether a man should be sentenced to death after being convicted days earlier of the murders of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children in Idaho.