Downtown safety much discussed at Council

It was noted that staffing in Zone 6 (downtown) is at fifty per cent of what has been identified as a priority of Council; staffing is budgeted to four Downtown Safety Unit officers, but there are currently two officers.

It was emphasized by Superintendent Darin Rappel that having eyes on the streets is the key.

“I don’t see an alternative to being present in the downtown,” he noted, adding that while there has been promotion of CCTV cameras, they help with convictions, but not a reduction in the number of incidents.

He also pushed for more presence of Bylaw officers with boots on the ground.

“I see a need to have Bylaws doing this work alongside us, 24-7, preferably matching an RCMP rotation. It’s been highlighted here in the report by [Eric] Depenau that last year, in November, it was successful certainly with respect to recreational fire abatement.”

A report from Depenau noted that staff “… are in the process of reviewing shift options [within Bylaws] to ensure the most efficient use of resources and best possible service delivery.”

There were questions from Council around 24-7 coverage, overnight in particular. But the report to Council also pointed out that there is only one other BC municipality – Kamloops – that have a 24-hour service model.

The local RCMP recently were equipped with Body Worn cameras and Supt. Rappel suggested the same should be done with Bylaws.

“I believe body-worn cameras should be a consideration for Bylaws. They’re an effective tool. It captures high quality evidence, de-escalates behaviour, defuses conflicts and reduces complaints.”

But there was plenty of concern over the staffing around downtown policing, highlighting not only vacancies for a variety of reasons and, but when vacancies are filled, the RCMP prior is general duty – they are “the wheels on the bus.”

“Zone six is the most heavily-resourced areas of the city,” stated Supt Rappel.

However, Councillor Kyle Sampson took the superintendent to task, noting that he feels frustration that the RCMP is not fulfilling a Council priority with the downtown while asking the City to beef up the City Bylaws.

“We’re funding positions that are not being fulfilled and that just doesn’t cut it.”

Two motions were put forward by Councillor Trudy Klassen to develop a business plan for a Recovery and Wellness Centre as a centralized hub for addictions treatment, mental health support, recovery coaching and housing navigation, that the City work with Service BC, Service Canada, Northern Health, BC Housing, the Province and local non-profits to design, fund and operate the Centre and report back to Council within 90 days with cost estimates, funding options, governance model and recommended next steps.

That set of motions was deferred to the next meeting.

by Cheryl Jahn

Downtown safety much discussed at Council

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