MILOBAR – Eby’s promises on public safety not showing any results

By PETER MILOBAR
MLA, Kamloops-North Thompson

PEOPLE HAD HIGH HOPES that Premier David Eby would “hit the ground running” to improve public safety in our communities, among other issues — but more than 50 days into his tenure, the problems seem to be getting worse, not better.

Eby made big promises of change, but we aren’t seeing any results or improvement on the ground.

Over the past few weeks, a man in Vancouver accused of throwing hot soup in a 70-year-old store clerk’s face skipped bail; there was a violent break-in as well as a shooting in Surrey; and a brutal assault took place in New Westminster.

Meanwhile, a man accused of shooting a pellet gun at first responders on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside was released from custody; a man accused of bringing a gun into a downtown Vancouver pub was found to be breaching bail; and Abbotsford police won a unique order to identify a teenaged stabbing suspect who skipped bail.

These issues are not unique to the Lower Mainland. Many of my constituents report feeling more unsafe in our city, and the stats don’t lie.

When the last Crime Severity Index (CSI) revealed violent crime severity was up a whopping 45 per cent in Kamloops under David Eby’s five-year reign as Attorney General, nobody was surprised by that news.

The violent, random attacks, open drug use, street disorder, property damage and vandalism are being witnessed and felt by everyone.

The situation clearly worsened under Eby’s watch as Attorney General, and now as premier nothing appears to be changing. People don’t feel any safer than they did 50 days ago, regardless of Eby’s promotional videos on social media which claim he is “getting violent offenders off our streets.”

The fact is, after Eby took a half-measure in updating policies around bail conditions, the data hasn’t shown any improvement since his announcement.

British Columbians continue to be frustrated by the NDP’s catch-and-release justice system. This government seems unwilling — or unable — to not only take urgent action, but get results.

The buck stops at David Eby and the NDP to take the steps needed to keep repeat offenders behind bars and help the people of Kamloops feel safe in their neighbourhoods once again.

Peter Milobar was elected MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson in May 2017, and re-elected in October 2020. He is the Official Opposition Critic for Finance. He previously served as critic for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, critic for Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and the Official Opposition House Leader.