MILOBAR – Action, not silence, needed from government on street disorder

By PETER MILOBAR
MLA, Kamloops North Thompson

WHATEVER DAVID EBY and the NDP think they’re doing to improve public safety in this province, it isn’t working. Several months after pledging to reduce the amount of crime, street disorder, business break-ins and vandalism in our neighbourhoods, it’s clear nothing has really changed.

You might remember that earlier this year in Vancouver, police conducted a three-week long shoplifting crackdown. They made 217 arrests, and 47 repeat offenders were among those suspects.

But this week we learned that 155 cases, or 56 per cent of them, resulted in no charges. For the individuals who were convicted, the majority received a one-day jail sentence followed by probation.

When media reached out to Attorney General Niki Sharma for comment, she brushed them off and told them to talk to the BC Prosecution Service. But it was her NDP government that promised change. It’s her government’s “Safer Communities Plan” announced back in November that committed to cracking down on repeat offenders, but the situation is as bad as ever. Silence doesn’t cut it.

With a federal cabinet shuffle stalling efforts on bail reform, there is more uncertainty than ever for British Columbians who continue to fear for their safety in our towns and cities. Premier David Eby’s catch-and-release justice system isn’t working for residents, or for the hard-working business owners who continue to pay the price for the NDP’s inaction.

This week, London Drugs’ loss prevention general manager spoke out against what he calls an “ongoing tsunami of crime,” noting the chain is now spending upwards of $1.5 million more on security at its Vancouver stores than it did two years ago.

London Drugs is not alone. Workers at establishments across B.C., including here in Kamloops, continue to face threats, intimidation, abuse and violence on top on the theft of goods they’re witnessing or trying to prevent. This shouldn’t become a routine part of their job, and it’s forcing many of them to leave — providing another hiring challenge for employers already trying to cope with a labour shortage.

This isn’t an issue that Premier David Eby and the NDP can continue to sweep under the rug as if it’s no big deal. Communities continue to plead for real help from the Province to deal with repeat, violent offenders who seem to have no qualms about continuing their crime sprees, because there continue to be zero consequences.

Action — not silence — is what’s needed from the NDP now.

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.