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
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.