ADVOCACY FOR COMMUNITY-BASED COMPASSIONATE MENTAL HEALTH RESIDENTIAL FACILITY KEY TO ADDRESS CRISIS ON THE STREETS
New Westminster (August 15, 2022): New West Progressives (NWP) mayoral candidate Ken Armstrong and council candidates believe residents and businesses of New Westminster deserve a safe and secure city. If elected on October 15, the NWP commits to funding the police services adequately, working with the Police Board to explore modernized policing and advocate for proper levels of funding from Provincial and Federal partners to address the mental health crisis unfolding on the streets of New Westminster.
“There is a significant decline in our sense of security on our city streets. Residents and visitors do not feel safe walking on our streets, especially after dark in the downtown core,” says local business-owner and council candidate Paul Minhas. “I have witnessed too many incidents, some of the victims are my neighbouring businesses, and even our own police officers, in the case of the recent machete attack. We know the mental health crisis is the source of much of this, so it is time for concrete action.”
The NWP aims to ensure adequate funding is provided to the New Westminster Police while working together to deliver efficient service through exploring more non-traditional policing methods such as expanding community policing in Queensborough, as well as increasing bike and foot patrols. At the same time, police officers are not trained mental health support workers, the NWP commits to advocating for more mental health resources for our police, and those on our streets who need it most.
“While we need to fund the police and work with them to find new ways to keep New West safe,” says Minhas “We also need to pair them up with adequate mental health support so that mental health workers can focus on supporting those in need in a safe and secure environment, while our police focus on policing. Our most vulnerable are being left on our streets without the proper care, so we are also advocating for a much-needed mental health residential care facility for the region that is compassionate and community-based. That is the right thing, the progressive thing to do.”
Over the next several weeks, NWP candidates will be sharing many of their policy ideas aimed to address the concerns they have heard from New West residents and businesses, leading up to the unveiling of the NWP’s 2022 campaign platform in September. Follow all the announcements at nwprogressives.ca/platform