December 9, 2025 - Minutes
|
Community Safety Committee
|
Date: |
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 |
|
Place: |
Anderson Room |
|
Present: |
Councillor Alexa Loo, Chair |
|
Also Present: |
Councillor Carol Day Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference) |
|
Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
|
|
|
MINUTES |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on November 12, 2025 be adopted. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
|
AGENDA ADDITION |
|
|
|
The Chair advised that Unsheltered Sites on Crown Land be added to the agenda as Item No. 7A. |
|
|
|
DELEGATION |
|
|
|
Ken Frail, Richmond Resident, spoke to the importance of hands-on fire extinguisher training in the context of fire prevention education and awareness, referencing his submission (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office). |
|
|
|
Discussion ensued regarding (i) working with the Block Watch Coordinator as a point of contact, (ii) delivering an educational component through the Richmond Neighbourhood Block Party program, and (iii) the involvement of Richmond Fire-Rescue’s Community Relations/Education staff at community events. |
|
|
|
As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced: |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That staff investigate the possibility of fire training with expired extinguishers, working with Block Watch as a contact point, including mechanisms to work with neighbourhood block parties and providing information or outreach programs for fire safety, and report back. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
|
LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION |
|
|
1. |
Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – October 2025 (File Ref. No. 12-8375-02) (REDMS No. 8216982) |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – October 2025”, dated November 17, 2025, from the Director, Community Bylaws & Licencing, be received for information. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
2. |
Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – October 2025 (File Ref. No. 09-5140-01) (REDMS No. 8217029) |
|
|
|
Committee commended Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR) and Richmond’s Emergency Programs for their response to a recent fire at the Fraser Place Apartments. |
|
|
|
In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that a detailed breakdown of the medical incidents for October 2024 and 2025 is presented using tables by sub-type, and staff can provide a year to date comparison to previous years. |
|
|
|
Discussion ensued regarding (i) emergency response incidents related to hazardous materials, (ii) providing resources and support services when responding to overdose/poisoning incidents, (iii) statistics from the Ministry of Health regarding ambulance response to emergency medical calls for service, (iv) statistics related to opioid overdoses, and (v) emergency response protocol. |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – October 2025”, dated November 14, 2025, from the Fire Chief, be received for information. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
3. |
Award of Contract 8412P for a Joint Mobile Command Unit |
|
|
|
|
In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) the Mobile Command Unit (MCU) to service the City would be operated jointly by the Richmond Detachment RCMP and RFR, (ii) by following regular, recommended maintenance and appropriate deployment, the average lifespan of a MCU may exceed 15 years, while the technology and communications systems and equipment may require periodic upgrades, (iii) due to the unique design and deployment of this type of a vehicle within the emergency response and management environment, staff may request additional funding from Council should the MCU require additional outfitting requirements, and (iv) funding for the MCU is available within the Council approved 2024 Public Safety Mobile Command and Communication Centre Capital Budget of $1,815,000, and any unused funding from the Council approved budget would be returned to the original funding source. |
|
|
|
|
Discussion ensued regarding (i) proactive deployment of the MCU, including at community events, (ii) the total cost to award Contract 8412P, and (iii) the City’s Procurement Policy with respect to additional outfitting requirements. |
|
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
That Contract 8412P for a Mobile Command Unit be awarded to Intercontinental Truck Body (B.C.) Inc. for a total cost of $1,347,325 excluding taxes as described in the report titled “Award of Contract 8412P for a Joint Mobile Command Unit” dated November 10,2025, from the Fire Chief of Richmond Fire-Rescue and the Officer in Charge of the Richmond RCMP; and |
|
|
|
(2) |
That the Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager of Law and Community Safety be authorized to execute the contract and all related documentation with Intercontinental Truck Body (B.C.) Inc. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
|
4. |
FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING |
|
|
|
|
(i) |
Fire at Fraser Place Apartments |
|
|
|
Fire Chief Wishlove commended RFR crews for their hard work and professionalism in responding to the Fraser Place Apartments fire, as well as in the strong relationships with and support from the RCMP Detachment, Emergency Programs, Steveston Community Centre, and Canadian Red Cross volunteers. |
|
|
|
|
In response to a query from Committee, staff advised that RFR received support from Vancouver Fire Rescue Services during the Fraser Place Apartments fire. |
|
|
|
5. |
RCMP MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – October 2025 (File Ref. No. 09-5030-01) (REDMS No. 8201697) |
|
|
|
In response to a query from Committee, staff advised that of the 267 mental health-related incidents in October 2025, one caller generated seven incidents. |
|
|
|
Discussion ensued regarding (i) the Boost and Bust operation targeting retail theft at local businesses, which resulted in multiple arrests of suspects, most of whom reside in other jurisdictions, (ii) suspects being released from custody with conditions such as avoiding certain stores or areas, and a promise to appear (iii) mental health-related incidents and the average hospital wait times for police apprehensions, (iv) education and prevention related to child exploitation and the BC Integrated Child Exploitation Unit’s collaborative efforts with other police agencies, and (v) the number of commercial break and enters and the overall safe environment for businesses in Richmond. |
|
|
|
Discussion ensued regarding long hospital wait times, as those apprehended under the Mental Health Act must remain in police custody until they are in care. |
|
|
|
As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced: |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That a letter be written to the Board Chair and President and Chief Executive Officer of Vancouver Coastal Health outlining information with respect to excessive wait times for individuals arrested under the Mental Health Act by Richmond RCMP, and proactively look at solutions. |
|
|
|
The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding the assessment of British Columbia Association of Chiefs of Police on hospital waits for mental health apprehensions. |
|
|
|
The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED. |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report – October 2025”, dated November 9, 2025, from the Officer in Charge, be received for information. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
6. |
RCMP/OIC BRIEFING |
|
|
|
|
(i) |
Approval of Additional Positions for Richmond RCMP |
|
|
|
Staff highlighted that City Council recently approved the proposed 2026 operating budget which includes the hiring of four Richmond RCMP officers, noting that the support for additional positions is greatly appreciated. |
|
|
|
|
(ii) |
Richmond RCMP Toy Drive |
|
|
|
Staff highlighted that the Richmond RCMP is celebrating the overwhelming generosity of the community after the 11th Annual Toy Drive broke previous records, raising over $33,000 and collecting approximately 1,500 pounds of toys for the Richmond Christmas Fund. |
|
|
|
|
DEPUTY CAO’S OFFICE |
|
|
7. |
Referral Response: Results of the Alderbridge Neighbourhood Discussions (File Ref. No. 08-4057-05) (REDMS No. 8191388) |
|
|
|
Discussion ensued regarding (i) neighbourhood discussions held with those living and working in the Alderbridge Neighbourhood, with a total of 39 residents attending the sessions, (ii) RainCity's staffing levels to manage the operations of Alderbridge Supportive Housing and the need for more staffing, (iii) the number of attendees compared to the number of invitations mailed, (iv) the concerns expressed by those participating in the discussions, (v) the ongoing collaboration between the City and BC Housing, (vi) the limited availability of affordable housing and the importance of having options along a housing continuum, (vii) the reduction in calls for service to Alderbridge Supportive Housing, and (viii) the City’s response to issues raised and improvements to date. |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the report titled “Referral Response: Results of the Alderbridge Neighbourhood Discussions” dated November 12, 2025, from Director, Housing, be received for information. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
7A. |
unsheltered sites on crown land (File Ref. No. ) (REDMS No. ) |
|
|
|
Discussion ensued regarding (i) generator use on-site and the need for a hazardous materials plan, a spill plan, and a fire response plan when items such as generators are used, (ii) numerous fire safety and emergency vehicle access issues to the unsheltered sites, (iii) the City opposing claims by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit that they are not bound by City bylaws, and (iv) how to prevent recurrence. |
|
|
|
In response to a query from Committee, staff advised that the City is closely monitoring the sites and are moving forward, with the RCMP, RFR, the City’s Bylaw Department, and other operational groups planning to organize an operational team to ensure compliance and pursue the removal of dangerous items. |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the verbal report regarding Unsheltered Sites on Crown Land be received for information. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
8. |
MANAGER’S REPORT |
|
|
|
None. |
|
|
|
ADJOURNMENT |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the meeting adjourn (5:38 p.m.). |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. |
|
_________________________________ |
_________________________________ |
|
Councillor Alexa Loo |
Shannon Unrau |