Eby hints at more police funding in speech to municipal leaders [Video]

BC NDP Leader David Eby is pitching a boost in police resources as a part of his party’s public safety platform in the upcoming provincial election.

Eby made the comments in a speech to the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference in Vancouver, two days before the anticipated start of the official election campaign.

He said the additional resources would complement the party’s plan to expand involuntary care for people with serious, complex mental health and addiction problems.

Eby said that group of people numbered in the “hundreds” but who are “really struggling in visible ways that are putting extra pressure” on communities.

“So what you will see in our platform for the upcoming campaign is a commitment to you around additional resources for community policing for downtowns that are under this kind of stress,” Eby said.

“By having a strong and visible law enforcement presence in your downtown cores, coupled with the social supports that we put in …