VICTORIA –  

Summary

• Nearly $7 million provided to police in 2025-26 fiscal year to support operations targeting repeat violent offenders
• More than $6.2 million provided to police in 2025-26 fiscal year to support operations targeting street disorder and retail theft
• B.C.’s Crime Severity Index fell 11% in 2024 to its lowest level in six years, marking the largest drop in the country.

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Public safety investments made by the Province in 2025 have resulted in hundreds of criminal charges laid and the seizure of hundreds of illegal weapons, drugs and stolen property throughout B.C.  

“Police in our province play a vital role in keeping our communities safe, and we are dedicated to ensuring they have the support and resources they need to continue doing their job effectively,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “Last year was a strong year for public safety investments that helped police address repeat violent offending and target street disorder and retail theft in our downtown communities.”

• Introduced in 2023, the Special Investigation and Targeted Enforcement (SITE) program was launched to provide operational funding for police departments to enhance proactive enforcement and investigative techniques to address repeat violent offending and disrupt the cycle of crime.
• Introduced in 2025, the Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement (CSTEP) program boosts police efforts to tackle street disorder and retail theft affecting businesses and downtown communities.

SITE program

SITE operations have continued to deliver significant public safety outcomes by targeting and holding accountable a high volume of repeat offenders, reducing public exposure to violent crime and disrupting cycles of violence.

Since its launch, SITE has supported:

• 175 police operations in 47 communities throughout British Columbia, resulting in 6,213 investigations into individuals, 219 of whom were supported by the Repeat Violent Offending Intervention Initiative
• 3,034 charges recommended by the police, as well as substantial seizures of weapons, drugs and other items, such as drug-packaging equipment, stolen property and cash, as proceeds of crime

Notable examples of successful police operations funded by the initiative in 2025 include:

• Abbotsford Police Department – Project Salus
  • In May 2025, Abbotsford Police launched a five-month dedicated enforcement initiative aimed at identifying and apprehending repeat violent offenders who pose ongoing risks to public safety in commercial and rural areas, which resulted in declines in violent and property crime in the targeted areas.
  • The operation resulted in more than 200 investigations, 67 charges recommended for 114 individuals, seizure of numerous weapons and drugs and the recovery of more than $490,000 worth of stolen property.
• Prince George RCMP – Proactive downtown patrols
  • Between April 2024 and March 2025, Prince George RCMP conducted high-visibility proactive patrols in the downtown core to address the surge of violence in highly trafficked public areas affecting local businesses and the public.
  • The initiative resulted in more than 500 investigations that led to 101 charges laid against 54 individuals and seizures of multiple weapons and drugs, resulting in a decline in violent crimes in the downtown area in 2024.

CSTEP program

CSTEP projects leverage and strengthen collaboration with local business communities, receiving positive feedback from business associations. The initiative has incorporated enhanced partnerships with social services and community partners to better facilitate upstream solutions to support vulnerable individuals.

Since its launch in May 2025, the program has supported 40 police operations in 26 communities throughout B.C.  Early results demonstrate strong operational outcomes, with CSTEP initiatives facilitating 336 investigations into individuals, resulting in 43 charges laid and the recovery of substantial merchandise stolen from businesses and cash as proceeds of crime. Notable examples of projects delivering tangible results in 2025 include:

• Nanaimo RCMP – Blitz operation
  • A two-day police operation targeting retail theft resulted in 20 individuals arrested, the recovery of approximately $20,000 in stolen merchandise and 16 charges laid for theft under $5,000.
• Metro Vancouver Transit Police – Alleged theft ring bust
  • Three Burnaby residents were arrested by the police and more than $200,000 in stolen luxury merchandise was seized following an investigation into an online seller on Facebook Marketplace.
  • Officers recovered 14 bags of high-end goods, many with retail tags still attached, along with cash believed to be the proceeds of crime. Charges for possession and trafficking of stolen property were recommended, and police are working to return the items to the stores.   

The Province continues to work directly with communities to improve safety through focused investments in policing, housing, health, social services and justice to break the cycle of crime, get people the help they need and make B.C. communities stronger and safer for everyone.

Learn More:

• To learn more about how the Province is keeping communities safe, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/safe-communities/
• To learn more about the SITE program, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025PSSG0027-000601
• To learn more about the CSTEP program, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025PSSG0017-000458

Two backgrounders follow.

Cranbrook RCMP – Enhanced community outreach funded through CSTEP

• One hundred and ninety seven police patrols of hotspots, and joint collaboration with city bylaw staff and a health outreach nurse through spring 2025 reduced violent and property crimes in the community by engaging with the vulnerable population and seizing weapons and drugs off the streets.
• The city reported a significant decrease in overdose response calls, marking the first such improvement in several years, with the initiative resulting in 75 investigations and 29 charges recommended to Crown prosecutors.
• The collaborative model of bringing together health care, social services, probation and a consistent police presence has made an impact in improving safety for community members and first responders, in addition to building trust with those who are at risk.

Victoria Police Department – Project STEP funded through CSTEP

• Through targeted deployment of foot and bike patrols in summer 2025, Victoria Police’s Downtown Beat Teams reinforced safety, strengthened partnerships with the Downtown Victoria Business Association, Harbour Authority, bylaws and local businesses, and connected vulnerable individuals with community services.
• By maintaining a consistent presence in key areas of the downtown core, beat officers deterred crime, reduced disorder and responded quickly to emerging concerns.
• The initiative resulted in 176 investigations and 27 charges, seizures of hundreds of illicit tobacco products and cash, and numerous outreach referrals made as part of a strategic response to street disorder.

West Kelowna RCMP – Project Deadbolt funded through SITE

• During a co-ordinated crackdown on violence and drug-related crime in the city, Project Deadbolt resulted in 50 arrests, including one Repeat Violent Offending Intervention Initiative offender and three individuals with outstanding warrants, the seizure of dozens of weapons, including a loaded handgun, more than 500 grams of illegal drugs, more than $30,000 in stolen property, $10,000 cash in proceeds of crime and the recovery of four stolen vehicles.

Colin Watson, chief constable, Abbotsford Police Department –

“The SITE program funding has significantly enhanced the Abbotsford Police Department’s capacity to address repeat violent offenders through evidence-based strategies. Initiatives such as Project Salus exemplify how targeted enforcement and intelligence-led approaches reduce harm and strengthen public safety. This support allows us to focus resources where they have the greatest impact – protecting victims, reducing harm and holding chronic offenders accountable.”

Erik Jakobsen, corporal, Nanaimo RCMP –

“Through the use of CSTEP funding, we launched a highly successful shoplifting blitz in Nanaimo’s downtown core. The operation resulted in more than 20 criminal charges, including shoplifting, assault, mischief and stunting. Beyond enforcement outcomes, the initiative generated strong public support and highlighted our proactive efforts to address street disorder and persistent disregard for public order, reinforcing community confidence in local policing and collaborative crime-reduction strategies.”

Fiona Wilson, chief constable, Victoria Police Department –

“VicPD’s Downtown Beat Teams, operating under CSTEP, are committed to enhancing public safety through increased visibility, proactive engagement and focused enforcement. This work is made possible through the ongoing partnership and support of the City of Victoria and the Province, whose investment in community safety helps ensure a sustained and co-ordinated presence in the downtown core. By maintaining a consistent presence in key areas, beat officers help deter crime, reduce disorder and respond quickly to emerging concerns.”

Graham Hartl, sergeant, operational support, Cranbrook RCMP –

“CSTEP funding this past quarter enabled our teams to complete 197 hotspot patrols, support vulnerable community members, investigate priority files and make critical arrests that enhanced public safety. The continued investment strengthened crime prevention through expanded Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design assessments. As well, our local Cranbrook bylaw staff obtained additional training, ensuring we all have the tools to respond effectively to growing community demands.”

Suzanne Muir, chief officer, Metro Vancouver Transit Police –

“Funding from the CSTEP Program allows transit police to address public safety challenges in and around the transit system. This funding will further support our collective efforts to improve safety in the community and across the transit system for transit passengers, transit employees and the public. We will continue to work with our municipal and RCMP policing partners to apply this funding where it is most needed, help officers prevent street disorder, hold offenders accountable and make the transit system safer.”