BC city considers state of emergency to deal with rising crime

A city in B.C.’s Central Interior is taking the unprecedented step of considering a local state of emergency due to public safety and crime concerns.

Williams Lake, which has a population of just over 11,000 people, has been struggling to deal with rising crime and helping those in the community with robust support and treatment services.

As Emily Lazatin reports, at a meeting on May 27, council voted to direct staff to investigate what the city can do in a state of emergency, including putting people into involuntary care if needed.