Public safety is one of the most urgent issues facing our city.
When you see businesses repeatedly vandalized and hear about random attacks by chronic offenders out on bail, it’s clear that something needs to change.
While we wait for senior levels of government to take meaningful action on bail reform and the mental health and addictions crisis, ABC Vancouver has been tackling the challenges head-on to make our streets safer and our communities stronger.
It’s about creating meaningful change that people can see and feel in their daily lives.
In February, the Mayor and the Vancouver Police Department announced Task Force Barrage, a major, long-term operation to disrupt criminal networks, hold offenders accountable and restore public safety.
We’re already seeing results. In just the first month, assaults with weapons have dropped by 30 per cent and 197 weapons were seized, including guns, tasers and knives.
Mayor Ken Sim and the ABC Vancouver team were elected to do things differently – to find a new approach to fixing the city’s safety challenges – and that’s exactly what they’ve been doing.
Investing in Our Police and Fire Services
For too long, Vancouver’s first responders were underfunded, making it harder to tackle crime effectively. That’s why ABC made it a top priority to support our police and fire services.
- For the first time in 15 years, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is fully-funded, enabling the hiring of 175 new police officers. This has strengthened enforcement efforts, improved response times and enhanced crime prevention measures across the city.
- Our fire services were also fully funded for the first time in 8 years, ensuring they have the resources needed to protect us when we need them most.
These investments are already making a difference—overall crime in Vancouver has dropped by 7.4% over the past year, with violent crime down by 7% and property crime falling by 10.3%. Most notably, serious assaults involving weapons or bodily harm have decreased by 17.8%.
Tackling the Mental Health and Addictions Crisis
The mental health and addictions crisis is one of the most pressing public safety challenges we face. The Mayor has been calling on the provincial government to put in place a Mandatory Care model that provides people with the compassionate care they need when they can’t seek it themselves.
As we push for these necessary reforms, ABC has taken decisive steps to ensure people in crisis get the support they need, while also addressing public safety concerns.
- Approved $8 million per year in funding for Vancouver Coastal Health to hire 55 new mental health nurses as part of the Urgent Mental Health and Substance Use Service Enhancements Program. To date, 35 new health workers have already been hired, significantly expanding the city’s capacity to provide mental health support. The program brings together nurses, social workers and cultural support workers to help individuals facing mental health challenges by connecting them with social services.
- Doubled the capacity of Car 87/88—specialized teams pairing police officers with mental health professionals.
- We now have an Indigenous Crisis Response Team (ICRT) – a first for BC. This holistic, non-police crisis response service is designed to support Indigenous people with culturally safe care.
Revitalizing the Downtown Eastside
For decades, the Downtown Eastside (DTES) has struggled under the weight of hyper-concentrated social services and crime. We are committed to delivering new solutions that that prioritizes recovery, inclusivity and public safety:
- Updating the DTES Area Plan: Encouraging a mix of housing, businesses and services to break the cycle of concentrated social services and promote revitalization.
- Pausing net new supportive housing: With 77% of the region’s supportive housing already located in Vancouver, we are calling on other municipalities to step up while we focus on renewing aging stock and replacing temporary units with permanent solutions.
- Cracking down on gang activity: In collaboration with the VPD, we are launching a citywide crackdown on organized crime and gangs operating in the DTES.
A Safer Vancouver for All
We know there is still more to do.
We’ve spoken to thousands of people over the past six weeks and we’ve heard the concerns loud and clear. We’ve heard the cries for help when it comes to repeated break-ins, random assaults and the need for provincial action on mandatory care and better mental health and addiction services.
We are dedicated to making tangible, lasting improvements. We will work tirelessly to ensure you and your loved ones feel safe in your homes, on your streets and in your communities.
Learn more: abcvancouver.ca/byelection
– Jaime Stein and Ralph Kaisers, ABC Vancouver candidates for City Council.