The recent escalation in crime and violence in our communities has reached a crisis point across British Columbia.

People are afraid for themselves and their families — and see their own neighbourhoods deteriorating as safe places to live, work and play.

Employees are afraid of being assaulted at work, while customers are increasingly nervous about venturing into some commercial areas.

Dramatically increasing security costs, and losses from theft, have already closed some businesses.

Prices of goods and services are rising to try and recover costs, impacting the cost of living for every family in British Columbia.

SOS Coalition Evolution

All levels of government have responded in various ways to some specific aspects of the crime and violence problem, but overall conditions have worsened in many, if not most, circumstances.

Community groups are realizing a province-wide, non-partisan movement is required to make this a priority issue in the next election cycle. Establishing safer communities is the shared objective.

The SOS Coalition represents that movement with concerned citizen groups and businesses from throughout British Columbia.

Founding Members

Alder Bay Equity Partners
Anthem Properties
Aritzia
Bay Centre Victoria
BC Chamber of Commerce
BC Restaurants and Food Services Association
BC Hotel Association (BCHA)
Beach Fire Brewing Co., Campbell River
BIABC
Blackbird Security
Borsato Property Management
Business Council of BC
Canadians Against Crime & Public Drug Abuse
Canadian Crafts
Canadian Federation of Independent Business
Century Plaza Hotel and Spa
CGI Digital
Chilliwack Beware Crime and Safety
Chu Cho Environmental, Prince George
Cims Trail
Circle K
Citizens Take Action (Dawson Creek/Ft. St. John)
Clean Streets Penticton
Clean Up V9L (Duncan)
Commercial Drive Society
Convenience Industry Council of Canada
Cranbrook Neighbourhood Network
Destination Vancouver
Downtown Campbell River BIA
Downtown Duncan BIA
Downtown Kamloops BIA
Downtown Kelowna Association
Downtown Nanaimo Business Association
Downtown Prince George
Downtown Surrey BIA
Downtown Van
Downtown Victoria Business Association
Downtown Williams Lake
Gastown Business Improvement Society

Gastown Residents Association
Georgia Main Food Group
Ginger Group
Gold Silver Guy
Gourmet Warehouse
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Hastings North BIA
Highwaymen Barbers
Independent Contractors & Businesses Assoc.
Invictus Properties
J. Gordon Enterprises
Kamloops Citizens for Change
Kerrisdale Business Association
KLA Inc.
KMB Construction
Kompassion For Kups
LogisticsBC
London Drugs
Lordco
Lululemon
Magnolia Hotel and Spa
Marpole BIA
Marquis Wine
MEC Mountain Equipment Company
Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers
Nanaimo Area Public Safety Association
Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce
Nelson Neighbourhood Network
Newcastle Community Association
Newcomers Sechelt
New Image Salon
North Shore BIA (Kamloops)
Oliver B.C. Crimewatch and Speedcheck
Pacific Reach Properties
Parksville Downtown Business Association
Pivot Society
Point Grey Village Business Association

Prospero Int Realty Inc.
Quesnel Downtown Association
Quesnel In Action
Restaurants Canada
Retail Council of Canada
Rexall
Robson Street Business Association
Rocky Mountaineer
Rossland Computer Repair
Safewatch Live Monitoring Inc., Burnaby
Sechelt Downtown Business Association
Save-On-Foods/Pattison Food Group
Save Our City Vancouver
Safer Vancouver
Securiguard
South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce
South Granville BIA
Stitching Arts and More Second Hand Store
Surrey Board of Trade
Tango Meats and Deli
The Cobbler Shoe Company
The Lotus Strata BCS2884
Themis Security
Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC)
7-Eleven Canada
Trail Neighbourhood Network (N2)
Urban Development Institute (UDI)
Vancity Health Clinic
Victoria Crescent Association, Nanaimo
West Broadway BIA
West 4th BIA
Western Fire Forensics
Whispering Waves Boutique, Campbell R.
Wroughtenart, Cowichan Valley
Zonda

While these entities have shared concerns over crime and violence in their communities it is appreciated that participating with SOS does not preclude organizations from pursuing individual projects and goals. Establishing safer communities is the shared objective and all such groups are welcome.

Approach

Government has the knowledge, the financial and people resources, legislative authority, and responsibility to fix the issues that have resulted in the current levels of crime and violence and fear.

SOS will research the costs of these issues to the public, to government and to business and will publicize the results, along with statistical evidence as to whether government actions are having the desired effect.

Our Message

1

“SOS” is an internationally recognized signal of distress and a cry for help. Our coalition of concerned citizen groups and business from throughout B.C. is dedicated to delivering that message. The issues are well known and while words matter, now is the time for solutions.

2

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.

3

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.

4

Too often, a “Whack 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.

5

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.

6

Theft, vandalism, and violent crimes are often committed by the same person over and over again. With a perceived lack of appropriate deterrent from our justice system criminals feel free to repeat the crimes many times without serious consequence.

7

It is time for government to accept and respond to their responsibilities.

8

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

9

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.

10

SOS and its supporters stand ready to collaborate in any meaningful action and while words matter, success will be measured on results.

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