B.C. to announce public safety plan to tackle street disorder and non-violent crime

Public safety and street disorder are the focus of an announcement coming in downtown Vancouver.

The provincial government has a new plan it says is aimed at tackling non-violent crime, set to be revealed outside London Drugs’ flagship store at Granville and West Georgia streets — a fitting location as the company has been very vocal about the challenges it has faced with crime and disorder.

In January, London Drugs announced it was considering closing its nearby Woodward’s building location by year-end because of what it characterized as a relentless safety crisis, including daily vandalism, theft, and escalating violence that has kept away customers and created a dangerous workplace for employees.

Those are issues echoed by many businesses in the city, some that have closed or pulled out of the downtown core.

There have been some high-profile calls for change — business groups, public safety leaders, and community groups all fed up with the level of violence, theft, and property crime they say they face.

So far, the Vancouver Police Department has responded with its Task Force Barrage, which it says is targeting organized crime and predatory criminals.

The provincial government had scheduled a 9:15 a.m. news conference with Terry Yung, minister of state for community safety, and Diana Gibson, minister of jobs, economic development, and innovation.

However, the province has postponed the news conference and says it will be rescheduled for a later time.

You can watch CityNews 24/7 live or listen live to 1130 NewsRadio Vancouver to keep up to date with this story. You can also subscribe to breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.