Prince George, B.C.- When the Province of B.C. was in negotiations with the RCMP for a new contract, Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond promised there would be a public discussion on policing in B.C.. 

The discussion is about to  get underway with the launching of a special, interactive website.

It features a blog where there will be regular dialogue sessions around key themes such as community safety, crime prevention and responding to gang violence.  The first dialogue session will take place Wednesday, May 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

“We want to know what will make you feel safer in your community, and what priorities you think the Province should focus on” says Minister Bond “We also want a comprehensive strategy to eliminate gangs and gun violence from our communities. Our dialogue sessions on the blog will look at all of these things so our policing plan addresses prevention, intervention and enforcement.” 

Bond says the Province will also share information on the work that is being done through the regional stakeholder roundtables. “We’re using what we learn in the roundtables to determine common challenges across communities, and what kinds of broad questions we should be addressing with all British Columbians on the blog.” 

Minister Bond says she also encourages community members to hold their own discussion groups and send a summary of their ideas to: BCPolicingPlan@gov.bc.ca

 Once a draft of B.C.’s Policing plan has been developed, it will be posted to the website for more public omment.