With municipal and provincial election campaigns underway, now is the best opportunity to let every candidate across the province know that greater action is required NOW to keep our communities and our families safe.
THE ELECTIONS ARE ON
GIVE PUBLIC SAFETY THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES !
The latest Save Our Streets poll on public safety shows:
48%
of British Columbians fear for the safety of their families in their own community
43%
say the level of criminal activity in their community has increased
37%
said they’ve been the victim of a recent crime
53%
said there are areas in their own community they actively avoid for fear of their own safety
87%
said addiction and mental illnesses are to blame for many public safety issues
Municipal Elections
Ask your local council candidates on the doorstep, at all-candidates forums, by email, on social media and on talk shows what they will do, for functions they are responsible for, to improve public safety.
Provincial Election
Ask candidates about their specific plans for addressing public safety issues and tell them you want commitments for immediate action once elected.
Also write each political party directly.
While we encourage you to reference issues impacting your community, we also suggest you ask your candidates if they will act on the five critical actions outlined in the Save Our Streets “CONTRACT WITH COMMUNITIES” signed by mayors and councillors during the recent Union of BC Municipalities convention in Vancouver:
- Ensure Safe Public Spaces with provincial policy that stipulates homeless encampments CANNOT become established in communities that have adequate shelter options.
- Immediately Move Beyond Harm Reduction with detoxification beds within Health Ministry facilities in ALL BC communities.
- Addictions and Mental Health Services Must Be a 2026 Priority with government-operated addiction and mental illness treatment and recovery to be established on a regional basis throughout the province NOW.
- Properly Locate Public-Facing, Low-Barrier Services to ensure NO negative impact to surrounding neighbourhoods.
- Justice Services Must Be Funded to Serve the Public Good with enough judges, sheriffs, Crown prosecutors and correctional staff to adequately hold people ACCOUNTABLE for criminal acts.
