Williams Lake council calls for community safety forum, explores emergency public meeting

May 28, 2026 | 3:26 PM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — Williams Lake city council is asking staff to look into an emergency community public meeting to focus on safety and crime following a presentation from Williams Lake RCMP.

City officials said the proposed meeting will focus on downtown safety, street disorder and ongoing mischief concerns.

The motion comes after Staff Sgt. Brad McKinnon, Acting Officer in Charge of the Williams Lake RCMP Detachment, outlined summer public safety plans and ongoing crime reduction efforts

“We’re going to take steps to ensure [Boitanio Park] is safe for all user groups and it’s free of illegal activity, and you will see a pretty significant uptick in our presence there. We will be working closely with the Roots on First shelter and I will be pleased to tell you we have met with the leadership group at the shelter. They have come into the detachment and they have had face-to-face meetings with all of our officers. It’s a very important relationship and it’s one I’m proud of, but it’s important to have ongoing collaboration,” said McKinnon.

“Outside of that, we’ll focus on the rest of the downtown core and we’ll also have a strong emphasis on traffic patrols. Our goal is to have a stronger presence, reduce impaired drug- and alcohol-related driving offences and keep our streets safer for all.”

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McKinnon also noted the Williams Lake detachment received 1,400 calls for service connected to the downtown core in 2026, with increased mischief and disturbance reports compared to last year.

“Following discussion around prolific offenders, mental health and addictions challenges, and concerns from downtown businesses, council supported a recommendation directing staff to explore options for a community public meeting involving RCMP, Crown counsel, Interior Health, social service agencies, shelters, First Nations, Crown prosecution, businesses and other stakeholders, with local MLA and MP representatives also invited to attend,” said a statement from Williams Lake officials.

The motion also directs staff to explore options related to temporary jail closures and transporting offenders outside the community.

“I think we need to be creative. We need to get smarter and out-think these guys who don’t care about our community – and that’s the problem. The province isn’t going to help us out, the feds aren’t going to help us out,” said Councillor Scott Nelson, who put the motion forward.

“It’s a street fight out there right now for these businesses and the communities.”

As of Thursday (May 28), city staff have yet to propose a potential date for the meeting.

by Elora McCormack

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Williams Lake council calls for community safety forum, explores emergency public meeting

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