More police teams and prosecutors dedicated to combating gang violence will be on the ground and new curbs on gang crime and illegal guns will soon be in place. These are among a dozen new and expanded initiatives that are part of a more than $23-million boost to B.C.’s Guns and Gangs Strategy.
The funding will bolster public safety in Surrey, Williams Lake and other communities that have seen recent spikes in violent, public gang activity, through a three-pillar approach focused on:
Supporting effective enforcement and prosecution.
Furthering community safety and public engagement.
Expanding laws and sanctions targeting illegal guns and gang violence, profits and property.
“The frequency and public nature of recent gang shootings is unacceptable and demands this additional, strategic deployment of resources. People deserve to feel safe no matter where they live in B.C.,” Premier Christy Clark said.
 – b.c.’s integrated anti-gang organization – to support police in communities around the province, dealing head-on with violent criminals to suppress and disrupt their activities.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
enhanced funding for the provincial tactical enforcement priority (ptep) – a comprehensive approach that has integrated municipal, provincial and federal intelligence systems to maximize police efforts to pinpoint and disrupt gang and criminal networks.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
putting dedicated crown counsel on priority ptep files in surrey that involve offenders with lower-level ties to guns and gangs. this will enhance continuity as these cases proceed to trial and build prosecutors’ familiarity with, and expertise in handling, these files.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
expanding the capacity for electronic monitoring of high-risk offenders and ensuring the courts – which have sole discretion over assigning electronic monitoring as a condition of a recognizance or sentence – are fully aware of the options at their disposal.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
the second pillar will further community safety and public engagement by:</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
establishing a new office of crime reduction and gang outreach. this office will work with cfseu-bc in support of its end gang life program, as well as local governments and agencies, to provide overarching co-ordination of provincial anti-gang outreach programs.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
creating an illegal firearms task force to study and strengthen provincial and federal programs related to illegal firearms.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
.jpg)
MORE National ARTICLES
Buyer Beware: Cosmetics Safety Incidents Not Reported, No Power To Force Recall
OTTAWA — A federal audit says Health Canada doesn't regularly test cosmetics for harmful or prohibited substances and there's no legal requirement to report adverse health and safety incidents — unlike other consumer products.
Buyer Beware: Cosmetics Safety Incidents Not Reported, No Power To Force Recall
Competition Bureau won't oppose beer mergers involving AB InBev and Molson Coors
OTTAWA — The Competition Bureau says it won't oppose two proposed beer mergers involving Canada's largest breweries.
Competition Bureau won't oppose beer mergers involving AB InBev and Molson Coors
Liberal MP Mauril Belanger, Dying From ALS, Behind Push For Change In Wording
OTTAWA — The lyrics to O Canada will be a hot topic in Ottawa on Tuesday, even though the July 1 fireworks are still a month away.
Liberal MP Mauril Belanger, Dying From ALS, Behind Push For Change In Wording
'Frozen In Time:' Fort Mcmurray Residents Brace For Return To City
Not Everything Will Be Fully Operating When Fort McMurray Reopens To Residents. What Do Returning Residents Need To Bring?
'Frozen In Time:' Fort Mcmurray Residents Brace For Return To City
Kathleen Wynne Wants Ontario Law Changed By Year End To Legally Recognize Gay Parents
Wynne says the province's laws are outdated and do not reflect current views on who can form a family.
Kathleen Wynne Wants Ontario Law Changed By Year End To Legally Recognize Gay Parents
Trapped Baby Moose Freed By Police Gets A Ride-along In Wildlife Vehicle
The animal became trapped in an outdoor porch stairwell of a home in the city's east end after getting separated from its mother.