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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.