US EditionCrime Funds Are a Step in the Right Direction, Says Kelowna Mayor
- The provincial NDP government announced a $5 million program in 2025 to fight downtown crime in British Columbia with new policing technology and increased patrols.
- Opposition MLA Elenore Sturko criticized the $5 million funding as insufficient, highlighting ongoing issues on the streets such as drug activity and property crimes, and pointed out that there has been no overall increase in the number of Mounties in B.C. Since 2012.
- Supporters noted the program targets repeat offenders through boost-and-bust police operations but acknowledged it does not address root causes like mental health, addiction, or homelessness.
- Sturko emphasized that the program will increase reports and court cases without enough Crown prosecutors, heightening concerns of court delays and unresolved addictions driving crime.
- The initiative’s limited scope suggests that meaningful crime reduction requires broader federal-provincial cooperation and systemic reforms beyond the $5 million fund.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Crime funds are a step in the right direction, says Kelowna mayor
The province's $5 million initiative to crack down on property crime and street disorder is a step in the right direction, Kelowna's mayor says. But not necessarily a big one. 'It's one piece of an overarching policy that needs to be completed in order to make a thorough difference,' Mayor Tom Dyas ...
BC Allocates $5M to Combat Downtown Street Crime
The B.C. government is allocating up to $5 million for a new program aimed at addressing street crime in the province’s downtown communities, including robbery, shoplifting, theft, and property damage. The province’s new Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement (C-STEP) program intends to help police strengthen their response to property crimes and street disorder, says a May 30 release. “Businesses that have been the victims of theft rings and…
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