File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Peter Milobar, BC United MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: NDP leaves communities to fend for themselves amidst open gang warfare

May 16, 2024 | 9:23 AM

ACROSS BRITISH COLUMBIA, communities are facing an unprecedented crisis of gang violence that the NDP government seems unwilling to address. In Kamloops, we’ve witnessed a terrifying escalation. Five brazen shootings occurred within just four days. Despite the best efforts of our dedicated RCMP officers, who are doing everything within their power, the lack of sufficient government support continues to hamper their ability to combat this surge in violence effectively. The situation has grown so severe that RCMP warnings now caution about bullets flying indiscriminately, affecting every neighbourhood from the South Shore to the North Shore.

It’s a dire situation when parents in British Columbia are too frightened to let their children play outside, worrying that their streets aren’t safe. This is the grim reality of a province where the NDP’s soft-on-crime policies have allowed criminal elements to take control. These communities, which once felt secure, are now scenes of chaos, making residents feel abandoned as the NDP continues to churn out ineffective announcements that do nothing to mitigate the dangers.

David Eby once promised that British Columbians would feel safe in their communities. Yet, under his government, we’ve seen an alarming increase in unchecked violence and continuous criminal activity.

Kamloops is now under siege not only from gang violence but also from an endless wave of break-ins and property crimes. Residents pushed to the brink, have been forced to establish community patrols out of sheer necessity — a clear sign of a government failing its fundamental duty to protect its citizens.

The NDP’s half-baked solutions have only exacerbated the problem, with their catch-and-release approach emboldening criminals who now commit crimes, knowing the consequences they face are minimal. As Attorney General for five years, and now Premier, David Eby’s soft-on-crime policies prioritized the rights of repeat violent offenders over the safety of law-abiding British Columbians

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BC United is prepared to confront this crisis head-on.

Our ‘Safer B.C.’ plan will do more than just promise safety — it will deliver it by filling police vacancies, empowering local law enforcement, and ensuring that every crime, from shoplifting to gang violence, is met with appropriate consequences. We will also work tirelessly to rebuild community trust and ensure residents across the province feel secure in their neighbourhoods.

British Columbians deserve a government that stands up for their safety, not one that retreats in the face of danger. They deserve a government that protects them, not one that leaves them to fend for themselves amid a surge of gang violence.

With BC United, safety won’t just be an empty government announcement — it will be a reality.

We are committed to making British Columbia a safe place for every citizen, restoring peace and security to B.C.’s streets, and rebuilding the trust that has been shattered by the NDP’s negligence.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.