October 15, 2025 - Minutes
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Printer-Friendly Minutes
Community Safety Committee
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Date: |
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Councillor Alexa Loo, Chair |
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Also Present: |
Councillor Carol Day |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
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MINUTES |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on September 9, 2025, be adopted. |
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CARRIED |
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DELEGATION |
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1. |
Jane Lee, Proactive Road Safety Solutions Distributions, with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), spoke on technology to promote community safety. |
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Discussion ensued regarding (i) distribution, lifespan, and durability of the road safety equipment, (ii) the potential reduction in accidents, (iii) functionality of the road lighting system, and (iv) the pilot program in Coquitlam. |
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As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That staff evaluate the road lighting system as presented by Jane Lee, Proactive Road Safety Solutions Distributions, including a full analysis of costs and installation options, and report back within three months. |
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CARRIED |
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LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION |
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2. |
Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – August 2025 (File Ref. No. 12-8375-02) (REDMS No. 8165399) |
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In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) a combination of factors including additional staff, utilizing multiple license plate recognition vehicles and analytics, and increased calls for service contributed to an increase in parking enforcement revenue, and (ii) Bylaws department works collaboratively with IT and Transportation departments and other traffic enforcement sections in other jurisdictions. |
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Discussion ensued regarding the average number of bylaw officers on duty on any given working day, including the number of parking enforcement officers. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – August 2025”, dated September 15, 2025, from the Director, Community Bylaws & Licencing, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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3. |
RICHMOND FIRE-RESCUE MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – August 2025 (File Ref. No. 09-5140-01) (REDMS No. 8158066) |
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Discussion ensued regarding (i) overdose/poisoning incidents, including alcohol, that require Richmond Fire-Rescue’s attendance and (ii) possible reasons for the decrease in overdose/poisoning calls for service. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – August 2025”, dated September 12, 2025, from the Fire Chief, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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4. |
FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING |
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Items for discussion: |
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(i) |
Richmond Fire-Rescue’s (RFR) Attendance and Participation in the Recent Emergency Exercise at YVR |
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Staff noted that RFR and Emergency Programs staff participated in a full-scale emergency exercise at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), noting the annual exercise is a requirement under Transport Canada regulations. These exercises are essential to ensuring that partners are prepared to respond quickly, effectively, and collaboratively in a real-life emergency. |
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(ii) |
Current RFR Recruit Firefighter Training class status and Cohort Training at the Richmond Olympic Oval. |
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Staff provided a brief update and presented a video (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) on the annual recruitment, selection, and training of firefighter recruits, noting that a three-week preparatory conditioning program in partnership with the Oval was added, with the goal of offsetting potential injuries during training, providing guidance for those new to shift work, emphasizing resilience, and team building. |
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5. |
RCMP MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – August 2025 (File Ref. No. 09-5350-01) (REDMS No. 8130775) |
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Discussion ensued regarding (i) the fourth annual Youth Academy, (ii) crime trends across the four largest municipalities in the Lower Mainland District, (iii) drug offenses and drug-related calls for service, and (iv) the number of prosecutors and service delivery from the BC Prosecution Service. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report - August 2025”, dated September 12, 2025, from the Officer in Charge, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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6. |
RCMP/OIC BRIEFING |
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Items for discussion: |
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None. |
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COUNCILLOR KASH HEED |
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7. |
discussion on Unsheltered Sites on Crown Land |
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Discussion ensued with respect to concerns regarding two large encampments on Ministry of Transportation and Transit land. |
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Further discussion ensued regarding, (i) assessment of safety and potential risk/threat levels, (ii) regular patrols to monitor activity and working with RFR, RCMP, Community Social Development outreach staff, and the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, (iii) the considerable amount of cleanup required, (iv) the process of issuing notices and violations that eventually lead to the opportunity for a ministerial order, (v) previous Provincial responses regarding the land at No. 5 Road and Westminster Highway and the legislative restrictions limiting the enforcement actions available to City staff, and (vi) previously issued Notice of Contravention and Order to Comply and the Province’s position on the situation. |
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In response to queries from Committee regarding the encampments, staff advised that (i) the City is receiving complaints from the public and (ii) the use of gas-powered generators were reported on-site. |
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Cllr. Heed left the meeting (5:08 p.m.) and returned (5:09 p.m.). |
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Discussion ensued regarding sending a letter, including photos of the unsheltered sites, to the Province and other levels of government. |
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As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That a letter be written to the Premier of British Columbia, Minister of Transportation and Transit, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, and Richmond Members of the Legislative Assembly, requesting immediate action and cleanup with respect to the unsheltered sites on Crown land under the Oak Street Bridge between Van Horne Way and Beckwith Road, and along No. 5 Road and Westminster Highway, and proactively look at solutions. |
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CARRIED |
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8. |
MANAGER’S REPORT |
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None. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (5:17 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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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 Wednesday, October 15, 2025. |
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_________________________________ |
_________________________________ |
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Councillor Alexa Loo |
Shannon Unrau |