This summer I have had the chance to attend events all across our city. From neighbourhood park openings to community sporting events, I have spoken with families, students, seniors, business owners, and new residents who are proud to call 麻豆精选 home. What I heard in these conversations was appreciation for the advancement in infrastructure projects and the need to continue focusing on public safety.
From the beginning, council and I made public safety our number one priority, and it remains our most urgent focus today. I would like to share some of the steps we have taken locally.
A significant milestone came in July when Superintendent Chris Goebel was named the new RCMP Officer in Charge. For the first time in our city’s history, this role is dedicated solely to the city of 麻豆精选.
Superintendent Goebel is a proud member of our community, raising his family here, and living the same day-to-day experiences as the people he serves. That kind of connection brings local understanding, accountability, and responsiveness that 麻豆精选 needs.
We also now have a dedicated Community Safety Unit supervisor for Rutland, Corporal Michael Gauthier, based in the Rutland RCMP office. This addition strengthens local oversight and ensures our safety strategy reflects the unique needs of every neighbourhood.
These structural changes build on significant investments our council has made in public safety.
Since 2023, 麻豆精选 has added 31 new RCMP officers, 15 bylaw officers, and 14 firefighters. These are boots on the ground—working every day in our neighbourhoods and public spaces.
We also launched the Mayor’s Task Force on Crime Reduction, which developed a roadmap that council unanimously endorsed. The recommendations are now being implemented, with actions ranging from immediate interventions to long-term solutions.
On the ground, we have supported new initiatives like the URBA on-call team, investing in and working alongside the Downtown 麻豆精选 Association on-call and clean team, to provide timely responses where they are needed most.
We have grown our Block Connector Program from 60 to more than 90 neighbourhoods, relaunched the volunteer-driven Speed Watch Program, and look forward to the RCMP revival of its Auxiliary Police Program.
Strengthening safety also means addressing the challenges connected to homelessness and street disorder. That is why we made changes to the OS4 outdoor sheltering site, because the status quo was not working—for those sheltering there, for service providers, or for nearby residents.
Working with community partners, from local non-profits to provincial agencies, the outdoor sheltering site is now more structured and safer.
Since the end of March, the number of people sheltering there has dropped from over 80 to an average of about 53, as more individuals transition into transitional housing or indoor shelter options. At the same time, ambulance calls have been cut in half, criminal activity linked to the site has declined significantly, and the risks of safety incidents and fires have been greatly reduced.
Alongside these efforts, since 2023 麻豆精选, through Provincial HEART and HEARTH program investments and municipal land contributions, has added 180 new shelter units and 20 complex care units. Sites like STEP Place, Trailside, and the newly opened Balsam Place provide people with a pathway off our streets and into safer, supported environments, which helps build a safer community.
Early reports are encouraging: of the 120 people who originally moved into STEP Place and Trailside, within a year 66 have successfully transitioned either into permanent housing, back with their families, or into treatment with Interior Health. This has opened up space for more individuals to move in and begin their recovery journey.
These are not just numbers—they represent real people getting a second chance, families being reunited, and a safer, healthier city for everyone.
As we strengthen both housing supports and local safety initiatives, we are starting to see positive results.
Since 2022, overall property crime has fallen by 17 percent, driven by a 55 percent reduction in business break-ins, 48 percent reduction in auto theft, and 32 percent decrease in theft from auto. Importantly, both our overall Crime Severity Index and our Violent Crime Severity Index declined in 2023 and again in 2024.
We know that no single measure tells the whole story or erases the daily experiences of residents and businesses. But they are signs that focused, collaborative action can make a real difference.
Even with these steps forward, the reality is that municipalities cannot solve these challenges alone. Crime, homelessness, mental health and addiction are felt in communities across the country and require provincial and federal leadership.
Here in 麻豆精选, we experience firsthand the detrimental and costly impacts of a criminal justice system in dire need of reform.
That is why our advocacy remains focused and pressing.
We will continue to push for compassionate mandatory care for individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others, more Crown prosecutors and court resources in 麻豆精选, and bail reform that holds chronic property offenders accountable in order to rebuild public confidence in justice and end the revolving door of repeat crime.
These are changes higher levels of government can make immediately, and we will keep pressing until 麻豆精选, and communities across the country, see the meaningful action we need.
We will also continue working closely with our local business associations who have been strong partners in calling for change and strengthening community safety.
The challenges we face are complex, but the strength of our community is real. I have heard it in every conversation this summer.
By working together—residents, local leaders, and partners at every level—we can build a safer 麻豆精选 for everyone.
Monthly update from 麻豆精选 Mayor Tom Dyas on Council decisions, City business and more.
