Community safety, particularly in the downtown, is a priority and continues to be the focus of several initiatives supported by the City of Campbell River.
Mayor, Council, and City leadership share many of the concerns voiced by residents relating to the complex challenges facing our community. This includes mental health, addictions, and homelessness. We are committed to taking action to address them.
The City is working with law enforcement, other levels of government, and community partners to foster a safe, comfortable, and inclusive environment so that all residents and visitors can use and enjoy public spaces.
The City has invested in Public Safety resources, including:
- Additional RCMP officers
- A dedicated, publicly accessible Downtown Safety Office
- Increased hours of operation for Bylaw officers (now covering 11 hours a day, seven days a week)
- Collaboration with the Downtown Business Improvement Association for increased downtown security patrol and a downtown cleanliness crew
- Crime Prevention through Environmental Design and façade improvement grant programs
- Increased downtown activations to encourage a lively, positive, and welcoming community core that attracts community members and visitors alike. View the City's event calendar.
- Broad public engagement to develop a Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan with key actions aimed to deliver positive change in the short, medium and long term.
The City is involved in and supports numerous community safety initiatives:
Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan Project
The City has worked closely with the Canadian Centre for Safer Communities on the development of a holistic Community Safety Wellbeing Plan. The City is working to finalize the Plan and prioritize actions in the areas of crime prevention, youth engagement, a vibrant economy, revitalizing public spaces, collaborative systems, and fostering community connections over the next 1-2 years (2025 and 2026).
Campbell River Situation Table
The City acts as the funding host and provides meeting space and a data recorder for the Campbell River Situation Table (CRST). The CRST connects people with appropriate resources to help reduce risk by identifying the risk factors present and then assigning appropriate agencies. In 2024, the CRST had 49 referrals, and in 70% of accepted cases, the risk was indicated to be lowered.
Safer Downtown Working Group
The Safer Downtown Working Group (SDWG) is a forum where City departments including fire, bylaw, operations, recreation and long-term planning connect with the RCMP to discuss trends, review existing plans, and develop new initiatives aimed at improving community safety. The SDWG also meets periodically with the Downtown Business Improvement Association to gather important feedback and partner on key initiatives.
Community Policing – Youth Gang Prevention Program
With support from the Province, the Community Policing Team has hired a youth gang prevention outreach worker. This position connects with and educates youths on the harms associated with gang involvement and looks at ways of promoting youth empowerment.
Community Policing – Restorative Justice Program and Projects
The community policing team has an active restorative justice program which works with the RCMP and supports the diversion of criminal files as appropriate and supports Indigenous communities with restorative circles where youth are involved.
Extreme Weather - Warming Centre and Overnight sheltering locations
Through financial support from the Emergency Management Climate Readiness (EMCR), the City operates a warming centre out of the Community Centre when temperatures meet the thresholds outlined in the City’s Extreme Weather Plan. Last year, the City also established and invested in two locations that support overnight temporary sheltering (camping) for persons experiencing homelessness.
Advocacy Efforts
Council continues to work with but also lobby other levels of government for the resources we need to tackle issues that fall outside the local government mandate. Council advocates for updates to legislation and investments in housing and mental health and addiction support to address the root causes of crime. Council also calls for reimbursement for services provided by the City that should be covered by other levels of government, such as the 3,610 medical calls that the Campbell River Fire Department responded to in 2024. This advocacy takes place through one-on-one meetings with ministers and collective requests from the Union of BC Municipalities and the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities.
Much has been and is being done, but there is more to do. The City will continue to lead efforts in our community to improve community safety through collaboration and advocacy.