Latest news with #TerryYung
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Business group 'cautiously optimistic' over $5M B.C. public safety program
British Columbia has launched a new $5 million public safety program aimed at reducing robbery, shoplifting, vandalism, property damage and other non-violent street crimes in high-traffic business areas. Terry Yung, minister of state for community safety and integrated services, said the program is a "direct result" of feedback from police and the business community across the province. "We heard loud and clear what they wanted," Yung told Friday's news conference in Vancouver. "Street-level crime such as theft, robbery [are] undermining businesses and making it sometimes untenable for them to be around." Yung said the initiative will help police address repeat offenders, building on the work of the "highly successful" Specialized Investigation and Targeted Enforcement program, which is aimed at stopping those who commit violent crimes. WATCH | Retailers call for crackdown on street crime: Retailers call on government to address public safety crisis 2 years ago Duration 2:02 In Vancouver, he said the specialized investigation program contributed to a 27-per-cent decrease in violent crimes in the Hastings Crossing area of the Downtown Eastside and a 45-per-cent drop in violent assaults involving weapons in the Gastown neighbourhood. The minister said the B.C. RCMP is administering the new Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement program and police departments across the province may apply for funding by submitting proposals for reducing non-violent street crime. The province has allocated up to $5 million to launch the initiative, though Yung said the money is "a start." The B.C. government will continue to support policing while waiting for results from the program before deciding the next steps, he said. "But that doesn't preclude other investments the province is making in terms of housing, in terms of health care, mental health, drug addiction treatment, poverty reduction and other social service agencies that we're funding," he said. "We can't just arrest our way out of crime ... We have to look at the undercurrents of what [is] causing this to happen." B.C. public safety officials are also "watching carefully" as the federal government considers bail reform to address repeat offending, Yung added. "We are looking forward to seeing what concrete changes are coming from the new government," he said. A statement from the province said the program will provide police with "enhanced tools, technology and investigative resources to curb property crimes." It will also support police as they develop co-ordinated operational plans that involve businesses, outreach teams and social services, the statement said. RCMP Chief Supt. Wendy Mehat told the news conference the new program is "a step forward" and another tool for police to use in combatting street-level crime by repeat offenders that is "eroding a sense of safety" in communities across B.C. She said police departments may seek funding to increase patrols in areas with high levels of retail theft or to address drug trafficking in downtown areas. Mehat said the initiative supports a "combined response" to crime, including connecting people in crisis with supports. Bryan Tepper, the B.C. Conservative MLA for Surrey-Panorama and Opposition critic for community safety and integrated services, said he welcomed the extra funding for police, as a former Mountie himself. However, he questioned whether more funding for police alone would help address street crime, saying that more funding should have gone toward a court system that is struggling to process the high volume of cases coming its way. "They're not sentencing people to anything that is going to deter in the future, or that's going to help people with their ... drugs and addiction and mental health issues," he told CBC News, calling for bail reform to deal with repeat offenders. Retailers welcome program The general manager of loss prevention with London Drugs, Tony Hunt, also took part in the announcement, saying crime was "driving fear into families and workers" and threatening the viability of jobs and entire neighbourhoods. "Retail and service workers who make up the backbone of our country's labour force are facing aggressive behaviour, organized retail crime, and both violent and non-violent repeat offenders," he said. Retailers are "spending more than ever before" on security, he added. Hunt said he welcomed the province's new safety initiative as a "meaningful step forward" in supporting local efforts to reduce crime and build community safety. Kalith Nanayakkara, a senior policy analyst with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said that an average small business spent $5,000 over the last three years to deal with vandalism and street crime. "Last year, 57 per cent of small businesses in B.C. were impacted by crime in some way," he told CBC News.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
B.C. launches public safety program aimed at stopping non-violent street crime
Pedestrians cross East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Thursday, June 13, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck VANCOUVER — British Columbia has launched a new public safety program aimed at reducing robbery, shoplifting, vandalism, property damage and other non-violent street crimes in high-traffic business areas. Terry Yung, minister of state for community safety and integrated services, said the program is a "direct result" of feedback from police and the business community across the province. "We heard loud and clear what they wanted," Yung told Friday's press conference in Vancouver. "Street-level crime such as theft, robbery (are) undermining businesses and making it sometimes untenable for them to be around." Yung said the initiative will help police address repeat offenders, building on the work of the "highly successful" Specialized Investigation and Targeted Enforcement program, which is aimed at stopping those who commit violent crimes. In Vancouver, he said the specialized investigation program contributed to a 27-per-cent decrease in violent crimes in the Hastings Crossing area of the Downtown Eastside and a 45-per-cent drop in violent assaults involving weapons in the Gastown neighbourhood. The minister said the B.C. RCMP is administering the new Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement program and police departments across the province may apply for funding by submitting proposals for reducing non-violent street crime. The province has allocated up to $5 million to launch the initiative, though Yung said the money is "a start." The B.C. government will continue to support policing while waiting for results from the program before deciding the next steps, he said. "But that doesn't preclude other investments the province is making in terms of housing, in terms of health care, mental health, drug addiction treatment, poverty reduction and other social service agencies that we're funding," he said. "We can't just arrest our way out of crime ... We have to look at the undercurrents of what (is) causing this to happen." B.C. public safety officials are also "watching carefully" as the federal government considers bail reform to address repeat offending, Yung added. "We are looking forward to seeing what concrete changes are coming from the new government," he said. A statement from the province said the program will provide police with "enhanced tools, technology and investigative resources to curb property crimes." It will also support police as they develop co-ordinated operational plans that involve businesses, outreach teams and social services, the statement said. RCMP Chief Supt. Wendy Mehat told the news conference the new program is "a step forward" and another tool for police to use in combatting street-level crime by repeat offenders that is "eroding a sense of safety" in communities across B.C. She said police departments may seek funding to increase patrols in areas with high levels of retail theft or to address drug trafficking in downtown areas. Mehat said the initiative supports a "combined response" to crime, including connecting people in crisis with supports. The general manager of loss prevention with London Drugs, Tony Hunt, also took part in the announcement, saying crime was "driving fear into families and workers" and threatening the viability of jobs and entire neighbourhoods. "Retail and service workers who make up the backbone of our country's labor force are facing aggressive behavior, organized retail crime, and both violent and non-violent repeat offenders," he said. Retailers are "spending more than ever before" on security, he added. Hunt said he welcomed the province's new safety initiative as a "meaningful step forward" in supporting local efforts to reduce crime and build community safety. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025. Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
B.C. launches public safety program aimed at stopping non-violent street crime
VANCOUVER - British Columbia has launched a new public safety program aimed at reducing shoplifting, property damage and other non-violent street crimes in business areas. Terry Yung, minister of state for community safety and integrated services, says the program is a 'direct result' of feedback from police and the business community. Yung says B.C. officials 'heard loud and clear' their need for support in cracking down on street-level theft, vandalism, mischief and other crimes that undermine businesses, sometimes making it 'untenable' for them to operate. He says the initiative will help police address repeat offenders, building on an existing program aimed at stopping those who commit violent crimes. The minister says the B.C. RCMP is administering the new Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement program and police departments across the province may apply for funding by submitting proposals for reducing non-violent street crime. The province has allocated up to $5 million to launch the initiative, though Yung says the money is 'a start,' and the B.C. government would continue to support policing while waiting for results from the program before deciding the next steps. 'But that doesn't preclude other investments the province is making in terms of housing, in terms of health care, mental health, drug addiction treatment, poverty reduction and other social service agencies that we're funding,' he said Friday. 'We can't just arrest our way out of crime ... We have to look at the undercurrents of what (is) causing this to happen.' B.C. public safety officials are 'watching carefully' as the federal government considers bail reform to address repeat offending, Yung added. 'We are looking forward to seeing what concrete changes are coming from the new government,' he told the news conference held in Vancouver. A statement from the province says the program will provide police with 'enhanced tools, technology and investigative resources to curb property crimes.' It will also support police as they develop co-ordinated operational plans that involve businesses, outreach teams and social services, the statement says. RCMP Chief Supt. Wendy Mehat told the news conference the new program is 'a step forward' and another tool for police to use in combatting street-level crime by repeat offenders that is 'eroding a sense of safety' in communities across B.C. She said police departments may seek funding to increase patrols in areas with high levels of retail theft or to address drug trafficking in downtown areas. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
B.C. launches public safety program aimed at stopping non-violent street crime
VANCOUVER – British Columbia has launched a new public safety program aimed at reducing shoplifting, property damage and other non-violent street crimes in business areas. Terry Yung, minister of state for community safety and integrated services, says the program is a 'direct result' of feedback from police and the business community. Yung says B.C. officials 'heard loud and clear' their need for support in cracking down on street-level theft, vandalism, mischief and other crimes that undermine businesses, sometimes making it 'untenable' for them to operate. He says the initiative will help police address repeat offenders, building on an existing program aimed at stopping those who commit violent crimes. The minister says the B.C. RCMP is administering the new Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement program and police departments across the province may apply for funding by submitting proposals for reducing non-violent street crime. The province has allocated up to $5 million to launch the initiative, though Yung says the money is 'a start,' and the B.C. government would continue to support policing while waiting for results from the program before deciding the next steps. 'But that doesn't preclude other investments the province is making in terms of housing, in terms of health care, mental health, drug addiction treatment, poverty reduction and other social service agencies that we're funding,' he said Friday. 'We can't just arrest our way out of crime … We have to look at the undercurrents of what (is) causing this to happen.' B.C. public safety officials are 'watching carefully' as the federal government considers bail reform to address repeat offending, Yung added. 'We are looking forward to seeing what concrete changes are coming from the new government,' he told the news conference held in Vancouver. A statement from the province says the program will provide police with 'enhanced tools, technology and investigative resources to curb property crimes.' It will also support police as they develop co-ordinated operational plans that involve businesses, outreach teams and social services, the statement says. RCMP Chief Supt. Wendy Mehat told the news conference the new program is 'a step forward' and another tool for police to use in combatting street-level crime by repeat offenders that is 'eroding a sense of safety' in communities across B.C. She said police departments may seek funding to increase patrols in areas with high levels of retail theft or to address drug trafficking in downtown areas. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025.
Global News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
B.C. launches $5M public safety program to crack down on street crime
The B.C. government has unveiled $5 million in new funding for an initiative to crack down on property crime and street disorder. The province says the new Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement (C-STEP) program will give police more tools to respond to street crimes, including shoplifting, theft and property damage. Minister of State for Community Safety and Integrated Services Terry Yung, a former Vancouver police officer, said the program was a result of listening to communities and police around the province. 1:49 Vancouver police hosts forum on retail crime 'We heard loud and clear what they wanted, and street-level crime such as theft, robbery, undermining businesses and making it sometimes untenable for them to be around. For so long it has been going on and this is not acceptable,' he said. Story continues below advertisement The initiative comes as concerns about street crime and disorder make headlines around the province. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Earlier this week, the City of Williams Lake said it was considering declaring a state of emergency to deal with the problem, while residents of Nanaimo have staged repeated rallies over what they say is spiralling public disorder. Retailers have also reported upticks in violent shoplifting incidents, with London Drugs recently saying it was considering shuttering its location on the edge of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. The program is being administered by the RCMP, which opened to funding applications from police agencies around the province two weeks ago. 1:50 Williams Lake considers state of emergency over crime, disorder The province says C-STEP funding will be available to support increased police patrols targeting street crime like open drug use and trafficking, disturbances and public intoxication, and to work with businesses and social services on co-ordinated plans to pre-emptively address street disorder. Story continues below advertisement 'We are not going to be prescriptive in where the funding is going to go, We want the police agencies to come up with operational plans, requests, and expect a matrix to find out where this money is going to address the most pressing challenges facing them on the street level,' Yung said. He said the program will supplement the existing Specialized Investigation and Targeted Enforcement, which targets repeat violent offenders. The program is being welcomed by business groups and the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police. 1:49 Maple Ridge safety concerns following baseball bat assault 'This initiative reflects a clear recognition of the urgent public-safety challenges facing downtown cores, including the growing impact of non-violent and repeat offenders on small businesses,' said Jane Talbot, president and CEO of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association. 'Any step forward is important, and we see this as a significant and encouraging move in the right direction.' Story continues below advertisement Asked if the money would be enough to tackle property crime across the province, Yung described the $5 million as a 'beginning investment.' He added that the province continues to advocate for 'meaningful bail reforms' promised by Prime Minister Mark Carney's new Liberal government.
