By Canadian Press

Stopping ‘scourge’ of B.C. gang violence top police priority: B.C. solicitor general

May 14, 2021 | 10:51 AM

BURNABY, B.C. — British Columbia’s solicitor general says police have mounted an all-out, joint effort to end the “scourge” of gang violence in Metro Vancouver. 

Mike Farnworth says people can expect to see a heightened police presence in the Lower Mainland as officers increase public patrols.

The minister made the comments just hours after another public shooting that left one person dead and two others hurt in the parking lot of a shopping area. 

Farnworth met with top police officials yesterday and says they have made assurances to both him and the public that ending gang violence is the No. 1 priority of law enforcement and all available tools will be used. 

A joint statement signed by a dozen police leaders released today says their partnership with policing agencies in the region on this issue is unprecedented. 

vehicle damage

Over 40 vehicles damaged during late-night Nanaimo vandalism spree

3h ago

rising costs

RDN taxpayers want relief as board grapples with budget

8h ago

new mayor

Spring Mayoral by-election called in Ladysmith

21h ago

The statement says an intelligence-led enforcement effort is underway, which includes overt and covert operations, targeting those who pose the highest risk to public safety, while increasing interaction with those involved in gangs

Farnworth urges all citizens with any information about gang violence to contact the police and warns gang members they face a dark future that involves either jail or death.

There have been 11 shootings in B.C.’s Lower Mainland in less than a month, seven of them deadly and many of them in public places, including shopping centre parking lots, outside restaurants and at the departure terminal at Vancouver’s airport. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2021.

The Canadian Press