Vancouver City Council approves key public safety initiatives

VANCOUVER City Council on Wednesday approved two key public safety initiatives aimed at creating a safer environment for all residents. One of the motions, championed by Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, prioritizes the creation of a Community Policing Centre (CPC) to serve Gastown and Hastings Crossing area, accelerating efforts to engage with community partners, secure a permanent location, and allocate necessary funds for its establishment.

“This new CPC will be a transformative step for Gastown and the Hastings Crossing area, providing the community with greater security and peace of mind,” said Sim. “We want residents and local businesses to feel confident that their neighbourhoods are places where they can truly thrive.”

“The Gastown BIA appreciates the investment in a new CPC for the area, and we look forward to working closely with the City and the Vancouver Police Department to ensure this new resource aligns with the immediate needs of the community. We must build a new comprehensive model that includes neighborhood policing officers, medical and wellness outreach, and mental health support,” said Walley Wargolet, Gastown BIA Executive Director.

In addition to the CPC initiative, Vancouver City Council passed a motion introduced by councillors Peter Meiszner and Brian Montague that provides the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) real-time access to the city’s traffic cameras. This move is a key step forward in enhancing public safety, enabling faster and more efficient responses to emergencies, major events, and criminal activity across the city, according to the City.

Currently, Vancouver has 221 traffic cameras across the city. However, the VPD does not have access to these cameras, and the feeds available are delayed by 15 minutes, limiting their effectiveness in responding to incidents. Real-time camera access will provide crucial support for the VPD during critical situations, allowing for more effective coordination and response.

“This is a proactive measure to ensure that VPD have the tools they need to respond effectively,” said Montague. “Our city is behind others in Canada that have already adopted similar measures, and it’s time to provide this additional tool to enhance public safety.”

To safeguard privacy, access to live camera feeds will be limited on a needs basis to select officers in the VPD’s Operations Command Centre and Emergency Operational Planning Section.

“This initiative strikes the right balance between enhancing public safety and respecting privacy,” said Meiszner. “By restricting access to key personnel, we’re ensuring both public trust and the ability to respond quickly to any incidents on Vancouver’s streets.”

The Council has requested a report back from City staff ahead of Budget 2025 to detail the costs of recording and storing footage, ensuring a financially responsible implementation.

The City said that by prioritizing the Community Policing Centre and granting the Vancouver Police Department real-time traffic camera access, Vancouver is better equipped to effectively tackle emerging challenges. These initiatives reflect the Council’s ongoing commitment to creating a safer and more vibrant city for all.

“The residents of Gastown deserve to be safe in their own neighbourhood, and giving the VPD real-time access to traffic cameras is an important step toward achieving that. We also fully support the Community Policing Centre, which will serve as a hub for residents to voice concerns and take a more active role in our community’s safety,” said Brian Davie, Gastown Residents Association.

“Safety is the foundation of a vibrant downtown, and providing the Vancouver Police Department with real-time access to the city’s traffic camera network will be a significant enhancement in ensuring the safety of our community. This measure will empower the VPD to respond swiftly and effectively to critical incidents while maintaining the balance of privacy and public trust. We fully support this initiative as a decisive step towards a safer, more secure Vancouver,” said Jane Talbot, President and CEO of Downtown Van.

 

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.