Community leaders from communities and businesses have been expressing concern over the threats of crime and violence in their communities for years. The issues are well known and while words matter, now is the time for solutions.

SOS is an internationally recognized signal of distress and a cry for help. Under the banner, Save Our Streets (SOS) Coalition, a growing number of concerned citizen groups and business from throughout BC representing communities have banded together to deliver this message.

Governments at all levels have responded in various ways to specific aspects of the problem but the conditions have worsened in many if not most circumstances.

Community groups have become engaged in various forms and have resulted in the realization that a province-wide, non-partisan movement is required to raise awareness of the issues and their cost to families and the community in a manner that makes this suite of issues an election priority in the next election cycle.

We call on governments to implement innovative, aggressive and comprehensive solutions now.

Escalating crime and violence are resulting in people being injured, families being afraid of neighbourhoods, employees in fear of going to work, businesses being forced to close, family supporting jobs lost and, in some cases, downtowns becoming ghost towns.

No. SOS is a non-partisan coalition of community interests that are banding together in response to the growing crisis of street crime and violence that is jeopardizing the safety and well-being of entire neighbourhoods, residents, businesses, their customers, and employees.

SOS Coalition membership is open to not-for-profit community groups and impacted businesses and their representative associations.

Too often the “Wack A Mole” approach is adopted with attention and resources being spent on addressing individual aspects of the issues (decriminalization; police resources; safe supply; homelessness; mental health services; judicial reform, etc.) when a comprehensive, cross government jurisdiction approach is required.

Yes. Further information available upon request and with agreement of store owners.

Yes. Further information available upon request and with agreement of store owners.

This is not just an urban issue. Communities and retailers across BC are plagued with increased retail theft, vandalism and violence

It’s demoralizing for staff and frontline workers overall. When we know that if someone came into an MLA office, a judge, a crown prosecutor office, and defecated, stole, injured or threated staff, it would be dealt with immediately. When they don’t see the laws changing, it’s a form of classism that is saying it is acceptable for this to impact retail employees but not us.

The SOS is not being prescriptive in demanding specific actions from government other than to fulfill their responsibility in addressing the entire suite of issues that have resulted in the current levels of crime and violence and fear.

The government has the knowledge of the issues, the financial and people resources, legislative authority, and responsibility to fix the issues. It is time for government to accept and respond to their responsibilities.

We call on government to implement innovative, aggressive and comprehensive solutions now.

The issue of repeat offenders is well known to government and to the judicial system. It is a source of extreme frustration for policing, retailers and the public. People are often put at risk of violent consequences. It is time for governments and the judicial system to take corrective measures.

Throughout our research, we’ve seen that thieves sometimes target retailers and resell stolen merchandise, like electronics, jewelry, clothing, perfume, cosmetics, and medication, on online marketplaces. Much of the retail crime today is highly organized, conducted by individuals attempting to support illicit drug habits but being “managed” by organized crime groups.

The skyrocketing security and theft costs for business result in the viability of businesses being threatened, businesses closing and family supporting jobs lost but also an estimated $500 per year increase in the cost of living for the average BC family.

There is a close relationship between many of the issues. Much of the retail crime today is conducted by individuals attempting to support illicit drug habits but being “managed” by organized crime groups. Violence on the street and in business locales is often linked to mental health issues and illicit drug addictions. Lack of police, mental health, drug addiction, prosecutorial and judicial resources all have a role in the solution.

Community leaders from communities and businesses have been expressing concern over the threats of crime and violence in their communities for years. Governments at all levels have responded in various ways to specific aspects of the problem but the conditions have worsened in many if not most circumstances.

Government has the knowledge of the issues, the financial and people resources, legislative authority, and responsibility to fix the issues. It is time for government to accept and respond to their responsibilities in a comprehensive manner that provides measurable results.

SOS is not being prescriptive in demanding specific actions from government other than to fulfill their responsibility in addressing the entire suite of issues that have resulted in the current levels of crime and violence and fear. SOS will develop in collaboration with subject experts a number of Key Performance Measures that can be used to determine success or lack thereof of government responses.

SOS will establish a set of benchmarks that are credible and by which success or lack thereof in responding to the issues can be measured. SOS and its supporters stand ready to collaborate in any meaningful action and while words matter, success will be measured by results.

We are brought together by a common concern for the safety of our communities. Individual groups could very well have their own local concerns and positions on issues.

SOS is not being prescriptive in demanding what policies or actions government should take but rather holding them accountable for addressing the overall problem of crime and violence on our streets and providing the public the tools to measure the level of success.

The power of one message, many voices, has the most influence on government policy decision making. Participation in the SOS coalition also allows collaboration with others focused on positive change for the public good.