PG receives almost $2 million to cleanup downtown

Prince George is receiving $1,907,593 in Federal and Provincial Government funding for the Community Safety Hub.

The funds will be used to increase RCMP patrols, security for civic facilities and parkades, a mini transfer station to help Parks and Bylaw with cleanup, enhanced cleaning, and a service and drop-in centre for the unsheltered homeless population.

Councillor Murray Krause said a lot of this work couldn’t be done without support from the Provincial and Federal Governments.

“The reality is coming up with really progressive ways and compassionate ways to deal with these issues.”

“Whether they’re from outside our community or not, they’re now members of our community. It should be a healthy community for everybody,” added Krause.

The city has seen a growing issue of drug use and vandalism downtown, resulting in businesses being broken into.

Additionally, organizations like the PG Sexual Assault Centre had to move locations, and the public library recently had to restrict access to their washrooms.

PG is one of the 48 communities in BC getting funds to increase its local services.

Over $76 million is being supplied province-wide from the Strengthening Communities Services Program, which is part of the Safe Restart Agreement, where the Province and Federal Government are providing $540 million to help communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.