CITY PEACE OFFICER CORPS SWAMPED SPARKING CRIME WAVE ON TRANSIT
Edmonton unions say the scaling back of LRT patrols by Edmonton police force, coupled with heavy COVID absences, is sparking a crime wave on the city’s transit system.
The unions are raising the alarm about the City’s ability to provide safety and security in public places.
“Transit Peace Officers are under-staffed, overworked and unsupported by EPS.” said Steve Bradshaw, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569.
Eric Lewis, President of CUPE Local 30 added that “Thinning out Animal Control Officers and Park Rangers to beef up Transit Peace Officers to a still insufficient level without proper safety protocols in place is an invitation to more trouble.”
“These trained and skilled Officers need the support of City Council and the administration to do their jobs. They should stop expecting the workers to put themselves at risk to solve problems the City has created.” said Lewis.
“These are long-term problems that the City has been warned about for years.” said Bradshaw. “What the Corps needs to end the burnout and demoralization and start mending is firstly, more of them, next, better equipment, then stronger enforcement authorities, but most of all, we need the Edmonton Police Service to step up and start doing its job. There is criminal activity the EPS is responsible to manage and they’re ignoring it.”
Media contacts:
Steve Bradshaw
587-591-4569
Eric Lewis
780-293-9621