B.C. sends extra police to Williams Lake in response to council’s state of emergency proposal
The city council in Williams Lake, B.C., has decided not to declare a state of local emergency in response to street disorder, following the provincial government’s promise to deploy more police to address the growing concerns. This decision comes after some councillors expressed interest in declaring a state of local emergency to tackle issues such as break-ins, public drug use, theft, and vandalism by a small number of repeat offenders.
A state of local emergency could have granted the municipality emergency powers, such as suspending bylaws, ordering road closures, or restricting public gatherings. However, at a special council meeting on June 3, Mayor Surinderpal Rathor announced that the Ministry of Public Safety had requested the immediate deployment of the Cariboo-Chilcotin crime reduction unit to Williams Lake to assess the situation and develop operational plans. The unit is expected to arrive in town as soon as Wednesday.
Despite initially supporting the idea of a state of local emergency, Mayor Rathor advised councillors to hold off on making any decisions for at least a month, given the provincial government’s commitment to addressing the situation. Front-line emergency service agencies, including the RCMP, B.C. Emergency Health Services, and Interior Health, did not see the benefit of declaring a state of local emergency. They emphasized the need for broader, coordinated systemic reforms to address the underlying challenges facing Williams Lake, such as limitations in mental health support, addiction services, and housing.
Coun. Scott Nelson, who proposed considering a state of local emergency, highlighted the dire public health situation in the city, expressing concern for mentally ill individuals who pose a risk to public safety. He cited recent incidents, including fires in garbage bins, break-ins, and robberies, as examples of the escalating street disorder.
While some councillors did not support the declaration of a state of emergency, Coun. Angie Delainey suggested inviting partners, such as the regional district and local First Nations, to review public safety programs and discuss funding strategies. She believed that the costs associated with addressing these issues should not solely fall on the municipality.
Coun. Michael Moses raised concerns about the lack of proper consultation with local First Nations, LGBTQ+ communities, and unhoused individuals. He warned against proceeding with measures that could discriminate against marginalized groups in the community.
Ultimately, the city council voted 6-1 to take no action on the state of emergency, with Coun. Nelson dissenting. The decision reflects a commitment to addressing the root causes of street disorder through collaborative efforts and systemic reforms, rather than relying on temporary emergency measures.
