BC Liberals Say Anti-Gang Cuts Because of 'Tight Fiscal Times'

The Ministry of Justice is speaking out about the millions of dollars in provincial funding cuts to anti-gang units in the province, including here in Kelowna.

While no formal announcement has yet to be made about the cuts from either the Liberal government or the RCMP questions posed to the Ministry have been answered to KelownaNow.com

According to an email from the Ministry of Justice to KelownaNow.com the Province approved an overall reduction to the $325-million provincial police force delegated budget of $2.977 million for fiscal 2014/15.

The Province pays 70 per cent of provincial police force costs with the federal government paying the remaining 30 per cent.

“Public safety is a top priority for the Province, and work continues with the RCMP to ensure B.C. communities are kept safe, and that everything is done to protect front-line policing while meeting budget targets,” reads the statement. “The Province has worked with the RCMP to find savings in a number of ways and any further questions regarding those operational decisions should be referred to them."

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The Ministry has confirmed that the anti-gang units are active in Kelowna, Prince George, Victoria and the Lower Mainland Division as is the weapons enforcement team, but have not stated which departments will be affected.

“We continue to look for further opportunities to further integrate police services since it eliminates duplication and increases the sharing of expertise and information among police agencies,” the statement goes on to say. “The bottom line is that, in tight fiscal times, Government must live within its budget while making the best decisions regarding public safety. It will continue to build on the approaches that have given B.C. its lowest crime rate in four decades.”

On Wednesday the B.C. NDP slammed the provincial government for the cuts calling them “reckless” and that they will “hinder law enforcement in their efforts to crack down on motorcycle gangs.”