Williams Lake Council Takes Action to Address Community Safety Concerns

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

In response to growing concerns about public safety and increased criminal activity in the downtown core, City of Williams Lake Council has unanimously approved a series of urgent measures aimed at addressing prolific criminals, community safety, homelessness and mental health challenges in the community.

At a Special Meeting held on Tuesday, April 22, Williams Lake City Council (Council) heard input from residents and business owners and discussed some of the pressures facing the City, Williams Lake RCMP, businesses, emergency services and community organizations. Council also acknowledged the complexity of the issues at hand, but emphasized a need for immediate, collaborative action.

“We heard the voices of our residents loud and clear,” Williams Lake Mayor Surinderpal Rathor said during the meeting. “This Council is united in taking action. We are committed to working with our partners to make Williams Lake safer, healthier and more supportive for everyone.”

Following the discussion, Council passed several key motions, including that:

Council request the RCMP to prioritize patrols in the downtown core;

Council request that the RCMP adopt a zero tolerance policy for open drug use in the downtown and around schools;

Council direct staff to coordinate a meeting with Interior Health Authority to clearly lay out the action plan for full wrap around services for the region;

The City pilot the use of porta-potties (open 24 hours a day) in the downtown core (one in Spirit Square and one in Boitanio Park near the intersection of Borland Street and Seventh Avenue);

Council approve the allocation of up to $100,000 of emergency funding from the City’s general reserves to fund additional RCMP services to address the issues of crime in the downtown;

Staff research what other jurisdictions have done to alleviate the challenges of homelessness and crime in their communities and provide a report with recommendations;

Staff provide an open meeting invite to each of the local service organizations that address components of community safety and wellbeing (including but not limited to Community Policing, Canadian Mental Health Association and the Downtown BIA) and to work with each of these groups individually to identify ways the City can assist them in their work to address community safety and wellbeing;

The City set up individual meetings with First Nation and Metis governments (including but not limited to Williams Lake First Nation, Tŝilhqot'in National Government, Northern Secwépemc te Qelmúcw, the Cariboo Friendship Society and the Metis Association) to receive their perspective on how the City can assist them and their members; and

A letter from Council be sent to Interior Health Authority requesting a meeting to discuss its integrated RCMP and Mental Health Services.

Council expressed unanimous support for all of the resolutions presented during the meeting. With the understanding that addressing these issues falls within the jurisdiction of senior levels of government, the City will continue to collaborate with other levels of government, local service organizations, businesses, residents, and the vulnerable population to work toward tangible, effective results.