Have you witnessed the police crackdown on gangs?
Vancouver police chief Jim Chu and the RCMP announced the formation of a Violence Suppression Team on Nov. 7. (CBC) Police in the Lower Mainland have set up a new joint gang violence task force that aims to show a street-level presence and in-your-face style of patrolling where gangsters operate. Officers will wear special jackets to identify them as part of the team and will visit bars, nightclubs, restaurants and gyms frequented by known gang members. “We are merging our resources to create the largest street-level gang violence task force B.C. has ever seen,” Vancouver police Chief Jim Chu said. Full Story CBC News wants to hear your experience with this type of “in-your-face” policing. Have you seen police targeting people in bars, restaurants or gyms? Is that fair? Share your story below. Or, click here to send a news tip directly to a CBC journalist.
Is bullying a problem at your school?
Game Wu claims he was dragged to a bus stop near school and punched repeatedly after he couldn’t pay $6,000. (CBC) A 15-year-old teenager in Richmond, B.C., was allegedly swarmed and assaulted by six schoolmates after he was unable to fork out money demanded of him, said the teen. Two teenagers were arrested last Tuesday and four others were picked up the next day, Richmond RCMP Cpl. Nycki Basra said. They have all been released, police said, and charges are being considered. “The investigation is still continuing and we’re looking at charges of assault causing [bodily harm] as well as possibly extortion and possibly [uttering] threats,” Basra told CBC News Tuesday. What do you think? Is bullying a problem at your school? Share your story. Please don’t identify bullies by name in this forum, for legal reasons. If you have a story you want CBC News to investigate, please send a message here.
What do you think of this response from the CBSA?
Alain Jolicoeur, president of the CBSA, offers sincere and deepest sympathies to the family of Robert Dziekanski. (CBC) The Canada Border Services Agency will beef up patrols and have more security checks and cameras at Vancouver’s airport, says a report released Monday that gives a timeline of the night Robert Dziekanski died after he was shocked with an RCMP Taser on Oct. 14. The timeline traces the nine-hour period between Dziekanski’s arrival at the customs hall in the international terminal of Vancouver International Airport, and his death shortly after 1 a.m. PT the next morning. Based on the review, released in Vancouver, the CBSA said it would take several remedial actions: Along with other partners such as the Vancouver Airport Authority, it will review procedures on services provided for international travellers and those waiting to meet them. The CBSA will explore options to have more patrols and security checks within the agency’s area. More cameras will be installed to provide an expanded coverage of the CBSA’s area at the airport. Will update its list of employees who can speak languages other than English and French. Will also review its interpreter services to make sure that the services are provided as quickly as possible. The CBSA will review its procedure to ensure all people referred for further examinations report to the secondary examination areas within a reasonable amount of time. What do you think of these actions? Are they sufficient, or should the CBSA be doing something else?
What do you think about recent gun violence in Metro Vancouver?
Two young men in their 20s were found dead, slumped inside a silver Mercedes sports car with its engine still running and lights still on, in south Vancouver on Tuesday morning. The Mercedes was heading south on Granville Street and was waiting at the light at 70th Avenue to turn left at about 3 a.m. when a dark SUV pulled up beside it, said Const. Tim Fanning of the Vancouver police. The SUV’s occupants sprayed the Mercedes with bullets, instantly killing the two men inside, said Fanning. The killings are Vancouver’s 19th and 20th homicides of 2007, and the third and fourth shooting deaths in less than a week. Full Story What do you think about the recent targeted shootings in Metro Vancouver? Has this violence changed the way you feel about the city where you live? Click here to share your story about how gang violence has touched your life.
Ottawa Congress Centre expansion a go for September
A new, expanded convention centre for Ottawa is well on its way now that city council has approved an extra $15 million in funding for the project, the centre’s president says.
No cuts to libraries, transit: Ottawa mayor
Mayor Larry O’Brien thinks it unacceptable to cut front-line Ottawa services such as libraries, community centres and transit to achieve his promise of a tax freeze, he assured the public Wednesday.
