Business Improvement Associations across British Columbia are calling on all levels of government to address street crime and other related issues across the province.
In Kamloops, Jeremy Heighton of the North Shore BIA describes it as an “urgent call” for action for elected leaders to address repeat criminal offenders.
Heighton says they want to see mayors and councilors elected who will advocate for the business community at the provincial and federal.
“We want to make sure as we head into this fall election season, people are aware that we are working on their behalf. We want to see mayors and councils elected who will advocate for us, at the provincial and federal level, to make sure our messages are front and centre.”
He suggests municipal leaders need to step up to support what he called core funding to increase policing, street lighting, and anti-graffiti programs, while also implementing stronger bylaw enforcement.
“It’s important to understand there are limits to municipal governments, as defined under the community charter in BC, municipalities can only respond to their bylaws or certain aspects of their operational processes. But they cannot act on other stuff which, is a provincial or federal mandate.”
Additionally, Heighton suggests the BC Government needs to carry out a plan to support people on the street who are dealing with mental health and addiction issues, and homelessness.
He says that plan should include actions to address prolific offenders, alternate justice options, and increased police resources.
“As part of this call, we are advocating for a more robust complex care program or system to deal with that population, however, this is more about impacts from repeat criminal offenders, negative impacts to communities, impacts to businesses who sponsor sports teams and cultural events and all those other things.”
While Federally, BIA BC is advocating for an all-party committee on downtown and main streets to be established
Heighton notes they are seeking a seat at the table to be a part of the solution to address challenges with crime in communities across the province so that the business community has a voice.