WHEREAS organized crime and gang-related homicides have been on a steady increase over the last two decades; AND WHEREAS the legislation related to disclosure, search warrants and lawful access is making it increasingly difficult for law enforcement agencies to arrest, charge and convict criminals involved in organized crime; AND WHEREAS the proliferation of new communication technology has not been matched with the ability to manage and monitor new forms of communication, allowing people involved in organized crime to communicate freely without risk of interception; AND WHEREAS criminal justice reform is a high priority for all communities in British Columbia: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request the provincial government to take immediate action to implement changes to appropriate provincial legislation and lobby the federal government for changes to the Criminal Code; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the federal and provincial governments provide a long term, annual funding commitment to police forces to combat gang violence and that this funding enable the deployment of highly-intensive gang surveillance operations over an extended period of time.
MINISTRY OF ATTORNEY GENERAL MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SAFETY SOLICITOR GENERAL BC has led the way in urging the federal government to make national level reforms related to gangs and gun violence. BCs work in this area has resulted in several federal bills being introduced to overcome inadequacies or barriers in the current law. BC is now asking the federal government to fast track the legislative process on these reforms, including bail reform, credit for time served, lawful access and use of wiretap evidence, disclosure, and pre-trial procedures. With respect to enforcement, BC has used 52 million in new federal funding to double the number of police resources combating organized crime to 368. A total of 131 new positions were added to organized crime units such as the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit CFSEU and the Integrated Gang Task Force this year and another 37 will be added in 2010. New 16 member CFSEU satellite offices have been established in Prince George and Kelowna. All police agencies are participating in these integrated units. BC will seek continued funding to support the new police positions on a long term basis. As part of the Gangs and Guns Initiative, BC is hiring 10 new prosecutors, including a dedicated firearms Crown counsel; provided resources for a ten-member BC Weapons Enforcement Team focused solely on seizing illegal guns; and established a new gang tip-line and rewards program that is capable of receiving text message tips. BC has also established the provincial action plan on preventing youth gang violence. The strategy is a partnership between the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, the Inter-ministry Committee on the Prevention of Youth Violence and Crime and the National Crime Prevention Centre. The goal of this provincial strategy is the development of evidence-based, coordinated, and integrated community plans in eight communities.