Public safety investments made by the Province in 2025 have resulted in hundreds of criminal charges laid and the seizure of hundreds of illegal weapons, drugs and stolen property throughout B.C.
“Police in our province play a vital role in keeping our communities safe, and we are dedicated to ensuring they have the support and resources they need to continue doing their job effectively,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “Last year was a strong year for public safety investments that helped police address repeat violent offending and target street disorder and retail theft in our downtown communities.”
- Introduced in 2023, the Special Investigation and Targeted Enforcement (SITE) program was launched to provide operational funding for police departments to enhance proactive enforcement and investigative techniques to address repeat violent offending and disrupt the cycle of crime.
- Introduced in 2025, the Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement (CSTEP) program boosts police efforts to tackle street disorder and retail theft affecting businesses and downtown communities.
SITE program
SITE operations have continued to deliver significant public safety outcomes by targeting and holding accountable a high volume of repeat offenders, reducing public exposure to violent crime and disrupting cycles of violence.
Since its launch, SITE has supported:
- 175 police operations in 47 communities throughout British Columbia, resulting in 6,213 investigations into individuals, 219 of whom were supported by the Repeat Violent Offending Intervention Initiative
- 3,034 charges recommended by the police, as well as substantial seizures of weapons, drugs and other items, such as drug-packaging equipment, stolen property and cash, as proceeds of crime
Notable examples of successful police operations funded by the initiative in 2025 include:
- Abbotsford Police Department – Project Salus
- In May 2025, Abbotsford Police launched a five-month dedicated enforcement initiative aimed at identifying and apprehending repeat violent offenders who pose ongoing risks to public safety in commercial and rural areas, which resulted in declines in violent and property crime in the targeted areas.
- The operation resulted in more than 200 investigations, 67 charges recommended for 114 individuals, seizure of numerous weapons and drugs and the recovery of more than $490,000 worth of stolen property.
- Prince George RCMP – Proactive downtown patrols
- Between April 2024 and March 2025, Prince George RCMP conducted high-visibility proactive patrols in the downtown core to address the surge of violence in highly trafficked public areas affecting local businesses and the public.
- The initiative resulted in more than 500 investigations that led to 101 charges laid against 54 individuals and seizures of multiple weapons and drugs, resulting in a decline in violent crimes in the downtown area in 2024.
CSTEP program
CSTEP projects leverage and strengthen collaboration with local business communities, receiving positive feedback from business associations. The initiative has incorporated enhanced partnerships with social services and community partners to better facilitate upstream solutions to support vulnerable individuals.
Since its launch in May 2025, the program has supported 40 police operations in 26 communities throughout B.C. Early results demonstrate strong operational outcomes, with CSTEP initiatives facilitating 336 investigations into individuals, resulting in 43 charges laid and the recovery of substantial merchandise stolen from businesses and cash as proceeds of crime. Notable examples of projects delivering tangible results in 2025 include:
- Nanaimo RCMP – Blitz operation
- A two-day police operation targeting retail theft resulted in 20 individuals arrested, the recovery of approximately $20,000 in stolen merchandise and 16 charges laid for theft under $5,000.
- Metro Vancouver Transit Police – Alleged theft ring bust
- Three Burnaby residents were arrested by the police and more than $200,000 in stolen luxury merchandise was seized following an investigation into an online seller on Facebook Marketplace.
- Officers recovered 14 bags of high-end goods, many with retail tags still attached, along with cash believed to be the proceeds of crime. Charges for possession and trafficking of stolen property were recommended, and police are working to return the items to the stores.
The Province continues to work directly with communities to improve safety through focused investments in policing, housing, health, social services and justice to break the cycle of crime, get people the help they need and make B.C. communities stronger and safer for everyone.
