VANCOUVER, BC: BC United leader Kevin Falcon announced his “Safer B.C.” plan to ensure public safety in BC if he is elected as the next premier of the province.
According to Falcon, NDP has continuously failed in fulfilling one of its fundamental duties — keeping people safe. “The endless cycle of chronic repeat offenders, arrested and released without consequences, has emboldened criminals and left British Columbians living in fear,” he said.
He said the BC United led government would immediately pursue various initiatives to make BC safer.
To fill 500 police vacancies across the province aggressively, will be one of the major actions. “Aggressively fill existing police vacancies by accelerating investments to ensure local police agencies have the resources they need to attract and retain more officers, such as hiring bonuses and housing allowances to offset the high cost of living in many jurisdictions,” he said.
The BC United government will also put an immediate end to the NDP’s decriminalization of illicit drugs and a complete ban on open drug use in parks, playgrounds, beaches and public spaces.
Individuals facing sentencing will be presented with a choice between traditional incarceration or secure treatment. This initiative includes constructing new facilities and repurposing existing prison spaces, making it possible to offer addiction and mental health services within BC Correctional institutions.
He said, restoring accountability and pursue consequences for all crimes, including shoplifting, bike theft and vandalism, rather than ignoring minor offences, and expand community service as a required option for sentencing for minor offences, will also be part of the plan.
The BC United government, according to Falcon, will also pursue civil litigation against dealers in cases where they sell lethal drugs that result in death by overdose. “If servers can be held legally responsible for customers who drive drunk, traffickers who sell fatal drugs like fentanyl, carfentanil and W-18 should be held accountable too,” he said.
To better support police, the Falcon government, would fund body-worn cameras for all police in B.C. and fund a dedicated hate crime team.
Falcon claims that there will be a crackdown on bail offenders, plan to address shortage of Crown prosecutors.
To get drugs, organized crime, and gangs off our streets, he would focus on establishing preventative programs to protect vulnerable kids in schools, foster greater coordination with other western provinces to reduce drug imports, and work with with the federal government to better control and monitor the importation of precursors used to manufacture illicit drugs.
