Latest news with #communitysafety
CTV News
20 hours 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
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Maryport home shut down over drug and violence concerns
A home has been closed off for three months over concerns about criminal property on Rydal Avenue in Maryport, Cumbria, had a negative impact on the local community for several months due to violent incidents and drug activity, police court ordered closure means anyone seen entering the building could be Sam Steel, from Allerdale Neighbourhood Policing team, said the address had been "an open sore and focal point of criminal behaviour". Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘Learning quick and having fun': Melville school holds safety day
Melville Comprehensive School held an 'Amazing Safety Quest' on Thursday, a theme day to teach students about safety at the workplace and at home. 'The students, Grade 5 to 12 are navigating safety stations, learning about a variety of industries, everything from workplace safety to community safety, recreational safety, getting a sense of different career paths they might be interested in,' said Amanda Wood, community relations coordinator at the Saskatchewan Safety Council. The inspiration behind the event was the passing of Cade Sprackman, an 18-year-old from Hudson Bay who was killed in a preventable workplace incident three weeks into his first job on Jan. 27, 2015. The safety day was organized to honour his memory and to ensure that accidents like his are prevented. The event was held at the school's gym. About 20 organizations were lined up along the walls. Students had seven minutes to try out a variety of activities, from CPR dummies to a fire hose. There was a lot of laughter and goofing around despite the importance of the event. Safety Day Students at Melville Comprehensive School took part in a safety day on Thursday. (Fruzsina De Cloedt / CTV News) 'All of these students will be going into careers, and in any type of field, there's always safety you need to learn about,' one of the students pointed out. 'Even in your personal life, you never know when you're going to come across something that you might need to know about these things,' she added. The Melville Fire Brigade held a mini race for the students: spraying water to knock over pylons. Lieutenant Parker Ellert told CTV News that he too, thinks that events like the one at the school are important. 'It gives kids experiences that they wouldn't usually get in their ordinary life or everyday life,' he said before he returned to his station to show a group of students how to hold the hose. A few minutes later, there was cheering as someone managed to knock over a pylon quickly. 'Actually, they're really good. They're learning quick, and they're having lots of fun,' he added. While the safety quest was only available to students at the school, the organizers thought that other members of the public would also enjoy learning about prevention. For those who are interested, an evening community event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Melville Comprehensive School.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Knife and arson offences rise in Jersey in 2024
More people were threatened with a knife in Jersey last year than in 2023, according to police figures showed there were 51 knife offences in 2024, ranging from possessing a knife to using one to commit a separate crime, compared with 32 knife crimes recorded in 2023 and 41 in was also an increase in arson offences, particularly ones caused by "young people setting fires in various locations", including public toilets.A total of 45 arson offences were recorded for 2024 compared with 18 in 2023, the figures showed. Officers said they saw more common assaults where people were threatened with a blade in 2024 compared with the year force said it was continuing efforts in secondary schools to improve community safety.A new law was introduced in 2024 making it illegal to carry any weapon without reasonable excuse in public or on school premises.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
DeKalb County destroys 4 more blighted properties
Blighted properties continue to be torn down in DeKalb County. Four condominiums in the Walden Pond community were demolished on Wednesday. The destruction is part of a plan to keep communities safe. 'What you see here is the result of decades of omission by those who were responsible for the upkeep of their property,' DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson told Channel 2. 'It's important that we remove these threats to public safety because it's our responsibility to provide for the welfare of our residents.' Leslie Johnson has owned her condo in the neighborhood for 26 years. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'This used to be a beautiful community, and we are in the process of trying to make it beautiful again,' Johnson said. The four units that were demolished on Wednesday were gutted by a fire four or five years ago. They were on the list to be torn down before the COVID-19 pandemic. 'This has been a long time coming with this coming down. But we're trying to bring the other buildings back up to code. A lot of the properties are being sold and they're being bought by, you know. Some people are buying multiple units… so we're hopeful that the people will use the money to make them better," Johnson said. Cochran-Johnson said she wants to work alongside homeowners like Johnson. Cochran-Johnson and Commissioner Robert Patrick will announce a blight tax on Thursday for commercial owners whose properties aren't up to code. 'You cannot allow your properties to reach a point of it is going to cost you in DeKalb if you are not upkeeping your properties,' Cochran-Johnson said. She said the county will work with individual homeowners in Walden Pond who want to continue owning their waterfront properties, but said quality of life and safety, and welfare of every citizen are her top priorities. TRENDING STORIES: Husband, wife from Buford drown near Destin resort 4 people shot at Southwest Atlanta gas station Double shooting leaves 16-year-old dead in Southwest Atlanta [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
