Rustad vows crime crackdown while Eby pledges more education assistants and child care [Video]

The leaders of B.C.’s major parties were on the campaign trail again Monday, this time making big promises around public safety, education and child care.

BC Conservative Leader John Rustad chose the Vancouver park where a repeat offender allegedly severed a man’s hand in September to promise a crackdown on crime if he were to be elected on Oct. 19.

“People around this province have been telling me enough is enough — it is time to put the rights of citizens before the rights of criminals,” Rustad said.

“So many people today across the province say safety is the number one issue … that we have a province that is being overrun by crime.”

Rustad said a Conservative government would end the so-called “catch and release” of offenders by toughening charge assessment guidelines and pressing the federal government for stricter bail rules.

The Conservatives are also pledging to hire more …