BRITISH COLUMBIA – The number of companies and organizations backing the Save Our Streets coalition that wants an end to the unprecedented wave of theft, property crime and street violence across BC has almost doubled since it was formed last fall.
There are now 59 members of Save Our Streets, which has launched its own website: www.SaveOurStreets.ca.
“Our membership has expanded to every region of British Columbia with new member organizations from Quesnel, Prince George, Kelowna, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Victoria, Trail, Campbell River, and the Lower Mainland plus several organizations that are province-wide in their membership,” says Jess Ketchum, co-founder of the Save Our Streets coalition.
“It is definitely not just a Downtown Eastside of Vancouver issue. Our message has hit a nerve as a growing number of British Columbians recognize that a different, comprehensive, and results-driven approach is required to address the escalation of crime and violence in our communities, and it must be dealt with urgently,” Ketcham adds. “Drug addictions and drug trade, mental health challenges, law enforcement, judicial reform, homelessness, are all factors. While governments have a long history of announcing policies and programs meant to respond to these issues, the desired results have not been realized. Governments have smart people, legislative control, financial resources but also, most importantly, the responsibility to generate better results.”
Newest members joining the coalition since the launch of SOS include: Anthem Properties, Canadian Tire BC Dealers Group, Circle K, the Gold Silver Guy (Duncan/Qualicum Beach), Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, Highwaymen Barbers (Victoria), Lordco and the Magnolia Hotel & Spa (Victoria).
In addition to increasing awareness, and highlighting issues and incidents of crime, SOS is coordinating a plan to research these trends, and establish measurable results to determine whether government actions are working to make streets and communities safer or not. SOS notes retail theft and the cost of additional security for retail stores is costing BC families $500 annually and there is no end in sight. British Columbians are urged to reach out to their MLAs and MPs, to demand coordinated action and keep communities safe.
“We decided to join the SOS Save Our Streets coalition to join with other communities throughout BC in gaining the attention of governments over the desperate situation with crime and violence we are seeing in our communities,” stated Tanya Finley, Chair of the Nelson, Cranbrook and Trail N2 concerned citizens groups. “We need a results-driven, comprehensive and intergovernmental coordinated plan that addresses many contributing issues including drug addiction, the drug trade, mental health challenges, policing, judicial reform and homelessness.”
Business Examiner Staff
