Public safety was the hot topic for the City of Prince George yesterday (Thursday), particularly for the downtown area.
They held discussions with the Minister of State for Community Safety and Integrated Services, Terry Yung, along with over 12 businesses and organizations on meaningful approaches to improve community safety.
Yung highlighted mental health and housing as issues needing work.
“The government will be looking at some new future announcements on secure care. That’s step one, because we understand certain people on the streets are suffering from mental illness, and they become a danger to other people.”
“Step two is ongoing. The Housing Ministry is going to have more announcements on housing in continuation and with the cooperation of Prince George to make sure there are more available housing that help people that need places to live.”
Yung said they will be looking at other ways to support the City and Council for revitalizing the downtown core, and addressing public disorder.
The hope is to make actions and policies catered to Prince George, rather than a blanket approach.
“We want to make sure policies in place that we’re going to implement are going to be effective, they’re not going to be outdated, not going to be too late, and they’re going to make a difference in Prince George, because what works in Penticton, might not work here, so we can’t have one size fits all.” said Yung.
“I had a really productive meeting with the Mayor to look at what the City wants, and how they can help us do a better job, and how the province can be a better resource for the City.”
Yung added that stops would be made to BC Housing and the Prince George RCMP to further discussions.
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