SOS “Save Our Streets” Campaign targets growing crime across British Columbia

BRITISH COLUMBIA — Provincial community and business groups, concerned citizens, and BC retailers have come together to create SOS: Save Our Streets, a new public safety coalition calling on the government to end the growing crime and violence across the province.

“Every British Columbian knows the escalation in crime and violence in our communities has reached epidemic proportions, and governments need to step up and do their jobs to make our streets safer,” said Clint Mahlman, President of London Drugs, and a founding member of SOS.

“SOS is a broad and growing coalition committed to raising the alarm that our streets, our businesses, and our fellow British Columbians are at risk, and only governments, particularly the federal and provincial governments, have the resources, expertise, authority, and responsibility to change things for the better.

In addition to attacks on innocent victims, SOS members say business across BC face growing amounts of theft which impact prices and local shoppers. SOS says absorbing the cost of retail theft and more security is costing BC families $500 annually.

SOS has come up with a list of ideas to solve the crisis themselves. The Government needs to re evaluate it’s decriminalization of drugs, policing resources, homelessness, mental health services, or judicial reform. A comprehensive approach by all governments is required.

Meanwhile British Columbians should continue to reach out to their MLAs and MPs, demanding action to keep communities safe.

Action now is critical. Staff safety, skyrocketing costs for security, and impacts of theft have neighborhood businesses questioning whether of not they should stay open, as the risks of violence continue to skyrocket.