Thoughts on BC Politics and More

Housing providers need better tools to stop criminal elements creeping into supportive housing and taking advantage of a vulnerable population, says Victoria’s top cop, who argues police should be more involved in the early stages of housing decisions. Chief Del Manak, giving his final quarterly report to council before his retirement this year, said he wants to see the province strengthen the Residential Tenancy Act so operators can keep criminals out of supportive-housing facilities. “When you have safety compromised, that has to trump most other things,” Manak said. “[Housing providers] are asked to do a very difficult job. If they’re asking … [for] tools to help keep their location safe, keep their staff safe and keep residents safe, then we need to be listening to what their concerns are and working with them and giving them the tools they’re asking for" ... CLICK HERE for the full story

When BC human rights ­commissioner Kasari Govender strongly urged all BC school trustees to shut down school police-liaison programs, she included a condition. “Unless and until they can demonstrate an evidence-based need for them that cannot be made through other services …[or] until the impact of these programs can be established empirically.” Victoria Police Chief Del Manak has now gone public with concerns about intensified and deeply concerning gang ­activities around city schools . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story