22
Sep
Victoria, B.C (Richa Walia): As mayors and councillors from across British Columbia gather in Victoria for the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention, the issue dominating conversations is not housing or infrastructure—but downtown disorder and rising concerns over public safety. From northern towns to coastal cities, municipal leaders say they’re grappling with the fallout of increasingly visible and complex social issues on their streets. The concerns range from drug use and mental health crises to repeat criminal activity and deteriorating public confidence in safety. In Smithers, the town has taken the unusual step of hiring private security to patrol…
