Mayor and MLA commend RCMP action against increased gun violence in Dawson Creek — concerns for community remain

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — Both Dawson Creek’s mayor and the South Peace MLA applaud the RCMP’s work in taking action amid an increase in gun violence in the city, though they are both concerned with the impacts it’s having on the community.

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit-BC’s uniform gang enforcement team has been called in to assist the Dawson Creek RCMP. Police will utilize a three-tiered approach of prevention, intervention and suppression to assist investigators in gathering intelligence and enforcement action.

“We realize that this is a lot for [the Dawson Creek RCMP], and they’re a little under-resourced, so we’re thankful for them, also North District [RCMP], in hearing and seeing the struggles, in sending support and helping,” said Dawson Creek Mayor Darcy Dober.

He says this type of violence is not typical for Dawson Creek, and it’s not something they should have to tolerate.

“That’s the big thing for the community, they’re concerned, they’re frustrated, but they’re also fearful,” Dober said.

“These acts of violence and guns being used, even if it is related to specific things, there’s not much consideration for innocent bystanders or RCMP.”

He says on the municipal level, the city is pushing MLAs and MPs to advocate for Dawson Creek.

“This is a small community, in the big picture of Canada really, 13,000 people, and we’re experiencing this kind of gun violence in our community, and it’s scary,” Dober said.

“But we have confidence in our RCMP, in the North District [RCMP], that they’re going to push forward and make our public feel safe.”

The mayor encourages residents with information to contact the RCMP directly.

“No matter what it is, they need to know about it because it helps them,” Dober said.

“We have an amazing RCMP detachment in Dawson Creek, and we’re thankful for them, but they really do need that help. They’re in our community, and they want to make our community a safer place.”

South Peace MLA Mike Bernier echoed Dober’s comments, saying the increase has people on edge.

“[People have] told me that they’re concerned now about going out in the streets, going for their walks, having their kids go out,” Bernier said.

“I’m hearing the obvious from people, ‘Enough’s enough. We need to take our communities back, we need to have a stronger RCMP presence, and we need to put these people behind bars.’”

However, the MLA says the issue may not be something the local RCMP can handle.

“We need the major crime unit, we need undercover, we need everybody involved,” Bernier said. “This has gone on too long. It’s gotten worse and needs to be dealt with.”

The MLA believes the frustration lies with the judicial system, not the RCMP.

“I want to thank the RCMP, again, as I’ve done recently because they are picking up their game trying to deal with the situation,” Bernier said.

“But where the ball drops, again, is in our justice system. Our judicial system is not working. It’s broken, frankly.”

He says most of the time, police are doing the work, arresting the suspects, but they’re put back on the street with no charges.

“I know investigations need to take place, but even when that happens, people are not going to jail, and we need to do better,” Bernier said.

Bernier says he is working with the city, the local RCMP and his contacts in the federal government to get the message out.

While in Victoria this week, he says he has been raising the concern as often as possible, as well as meeting with the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth, to discuss the rise in crime in the Peace region.

“[He] has promised that he’s going to also look at making sure that there are additional members of the RCMP that will come and assist in our region to try to arrest people and slow down the activity for sure,” Bernier said.

“I also have to hold the government accountable because, in my opinion, they are allowing this to continue, allowing it to get worse with a lot of the policies they brought in. So they need to understand that as well.”

The MLA encourages residents to contact the Dawson Creek detachment at 250-784-3700, 9-1-1 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 with any information on crime in the city.