Regional directors look to raise public safety concerns with provincial government

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The regional district is looking to talk repeat offenders and public safety with the province. 

On January 8th, the Peace River Regional District board of directors solidified a list of topics it wished to discuss with B.C.’s Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

Danielle Veach, director and mayor of the Village of Pouce Coupe, brought forward the “ongoing issues with repeat offenders” and the “increase to crime and violent crime” in the region. 

“In conversations that I have had with our RCMP, oftentimes it’s seven to 10 of the same repeat offenders that are causing a large majority of the crime and violent crime,” Veach said. 

“It’s well known amongst many locals, many people throughout the whole province, that oftentimes it is repeat offenders that create the consistent crime, and then often that escalates into violent crime.”

In December 2025, the ministry announced it was establishing a gang enforcement team in Prince George specifically for the northern district.

Veach also shared her belief that law enforcement are struggling with a backup in the court system which is hindering their ability to prosecute. 

“It’s my understanding that there hasn’t been as much court funding provincially as there once was either, so maybe that’s something that would be beneficial for us to investigate on what sort of funding or services our provincial courts, or even our local courts, are being provided with from the province,” Veach said. 

The board voted to request a meeting with the ministry regarding repeat offenders and violent crime.

This would be a follow-up meeting from one held between the minister and the directors at the 2025 Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention.

No information is available at this time as to when the meeting will be held, as PRRD staff will now connect with the ministry to arrange it.