From: Linda Larson, MLA

By now many of you will be aware of the Community Crime Forum on Aug 28th organized by a private citizen, Michael Guthrie.

I know Mr. Guthrie has put a great deal of time and effort into organizing this forum.

It is important to note that Oliver and Osoyoos are not the the only areas experiencing a crime wave. What we are all beginning to realize is that, just because we are small rural communities, we are not immune from the Opioid crisis gripping the entire country, or the crime that follows any upsurge in drug use.

I attended the previous forum on crime this Spring and acquired lots of good information on how to protect your home and property from theft, and I have finally made it a habit to lock my car – something I have always done when travelling to any other community but somehow missed in my own town.

I support the Mayors and Councils of Oliver and Osoyoos in their ongoing lobbying efforts with the RCMP both locally, regionally and provincially. They have built relationships at all levels through respectful dialogue and endless meetings and have ensured that when RCMP personnel become available we will not be overlooked.

Both communities will have further dialogue at the UBCM in September and will hopefully be updated at that time on progress for more local RCMP.

I will try to attend the Forum as an observer only if possible. I have explained to Mr. Guthrie that I would not be available to be on a panel or answer questions at this Forum.

I cannot speak for this Provincial Government nor answer questions on their behalf.

My position as MLA allows me to take your messages and petitions to government as I have done in the past and will continue to do. If you want the Provincial Government to answer questions you need to contact them directly with your questions.

My office will be happy to help forward any and all of your concerns to the appropriate Ministries.