London Drugs president Clint Mahlman expressed his disbelief at having to authorize staff members to wear stab vests in order to protect themselves. He emphasized that resorting to such extreme measures should not be necessary in a province like British Columbia or a country like Canada. These statements were made during a news conference in Vancouver, where a coalition consisting of more than 30 British Columbia retailers, trade associations, and other groups was announced. Known as the Save Our Streets group, they are demanding immediate government action to combat the increasing theft, vandalism, and violent crime that they believe has reached “epidemic proportions” throughout the province.
The coalition, which estimates that the added cost of security is effectively costing B.C. families $500 each per year, called for all levels of government to collaborate in addressing the crime “crisis” in retail settings. Clint Mahlman, a founding member of the coalition, described the issue as being at a crucial juncture and expressed concern that the streets and communities are becoming more unsafe. The coalition stressed the need for a coordinated government response to ensure staff safety, curb rising security costs, and mitigate the impact on communities.
According to the coalition, it is essential for the federal and provincial governments to adopt a comprehensive approach instead of focusing on singular aspects of the problem, such as drug decriminalization, policing resources, or mental health reform. Furthermore, the coalition called for the establishment of measurable results by both the B.C. and federal governments, allowing the public to evaluate the effectiveness of their actions in reducing crime.
Prominent members of the coalition include retailers like Lululemon, Aritzia, Rexall, and Save-On-Foods, as well as organizations like the Greater Vancouver and Surrey boards of trade, the Retail Council of Canada, and Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers. While the Vancouver police reported a shoplifting crackdown resulting in 258 arrests and the recovery of nearly $57,000 in stolen goods in September, the coalition argued that such actions only address a small portion of the problem. Karen Kuwica of the Nanaimo Area Public Safety Association emphasized that this issue affects the entire province and highlighted the importance of ensuring everyone feels safe in their communities.
Entrepreneur Tanya Finley, who owns a restaurant in Nelson, shared her experiences of living in a neighborhood plagued by homelessness, crime, and addiction. She expressed frustration that criminals seem to evade punishment, causing economic hardship and mental anxiety for local residents. She criticized the upper levels of government, accusing them of not understanding the daily struggles of victims and failing to address the issues they face.
In response, Premier David Eby expressed his willingness to work with the coalition to raise awareness of the crime issue. He acknowledged that federal legislation on bail reform is currently stalled in the Senate after passing in the House of Commons, and therefore, there is a need for continued efforts to improve the criminal justice system. Clint Mahlman reiterated that the movement is apolitical and expressed his hope for ongoing government responses to persist even after elections.
Overall, the coalition’s plea for immediate government action serves as a call to address the escalating crime rates and ensure the safety of staff, reduce security costs, and protect communities throughout British Columbia.