THE BC Liberals on Tuesday, noting that gang-related crime and violence continues to spike in Metro Vancouver, called on Premier John Horgan and the NDP to fill 200 vacant positions in the provincial policing contract and reverse cuts to anti-gang initiatives in schools.

“We’ve seen three brazen shootings in three days. This situation isn’t going to get better on its own. The NDP has failed to provide local governments and police forces with the targeted resources they need,” said MLA Mike Morris, Opposition Critic for Public Safety and Solicitor General. “John Horgan and the NDP have to make combatting gang violence a priority because our local governments simply don’t have the resources to do it on their own. We need more than tough words from the Premier — British Columbians deserve action.”

The BC Liberals called on the government to immediately prioritize filling the vacant positions under the provincial policing contract, with at least half going to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit to actively pursue and arrest gang members. They are also calling on the NDP government to reinstate funding that was cut from important anti-gang initiatives like the Safer Schools Together program.

“Leaving 200 positions vacant under the provincial policing contract and cutting funding to the Safer Schools Together program here in Surrey is taking us in the wrong direction,” said Surrey South MLA Stephanie Cadieux. “While police are being pulled away for John Horgan’s roadside travel checks, we’re witnessing gang violence occur throughout the Lower Mainland. We need immediate action from the province before this situation takes more lives.”