Community has role to play in maintaining public safety

PRINCE GEORGE — Public safety in Prince George has been a topic that has dominated conversation and discussion at city council, particularly when it comes to downtown. One community advocate recently gave a presentation to the city’s public safety committee about how we can rethink policy and attitudes towards public safety.

“Stop blaming the city and the government for absolutely everything. Because you guys are also on the hook. If you refuse to vote, don’t complain.” That was community advocate Brad Gustafson to the community on placing the blame squarely on the city when it comes to problems our city is facing with public safety. Gustafson gave a presentation to the city’s committee on public safety and explained that our approach to public safety has to be multi-faceted.

Gustafson cited the Prince George RCMP’s recent call for volunteers as part of their restorative justice and victim services programs, as a good sign towards improving policy towards public safety. “The police force is actually leading the charge by doing this” Gustafson said.