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
Ottawa-Born Eliza Reid Could Become Iceland's First Lady If Husband Wins Election
Eliza Reid, who married an Icelandic history professor and moved to the Nordic country more than ten years ago, has found herself at the centre of an election campaign in which her husband has emerged as the front-runner for the office of the president.
Ottawa-Born Eliza Reid Could Become Iceland's First Lady If Husband Wins Election
Liberals Outspent Tories In 2015 Vote, Outflanked Rivals With Digital Outreach
OTTAWA — Justin Trudeau's Liberal party spent just over $43 million to win last fall's federal election — $1.2 million more than Stephen Harper's Conservatives.
Liberals Outspent Tories In 2015 Vote, Outflanked Rivals With Digital Outreach
From Zaatari To Ottawa: Young Refugee And Minister Reunite Over Painting
Hamza Ali, 13, remembers clearly the day last November when a trio of Canadian cabinet ministers trooped into an ad-hoc art gallery set up in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan.
From Zaatari To Ottawa: Young Refugee And Minister Reunite Over Painting
More Work Needed On Preparing Canadians For Extreme Weather: Premier Clark
Clark toured flood-ravaged parts of northeastern B.C. Sunday, and said Canadians need to adapt to the impact climate change is having.
More Work Needed On Preparing Canadians For Extreme Weather: Premier Clark
Sooke RCMP Say All Three Suspects In Targeted Shooting Are In Custody
SOOKE, B.C. — Police in the suburban Victoria community of Sooke, B.C., say a nearly week-long manhunt has ended with the arrest of two men.
Sooke RCMP Say All Three Suspects In Targeted Shooting Are In Custody
Revamp Of Canada Pension Plan Centre Stage At Finance Ministers' Meeting
At stake is how to better help Canadians who aren't — or won't be — in good financial shape once they retire.