New Westminster – What will it take to ensure New Westminster is a respectful, inclusive community that provides for the needs of all residents in crisis? Councillor Nadine Nakagawa will host a livestream roundtable discussion on policing reform and community crisis care on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 6:30 pm to further community dialogue on these critical topics.

New Westminster residents are invited to view a special livestream discussion to learn more about the City’s new vision for policing and community crisis care and innovative approaches already underway. Councillor Nakagawa will lead a panel discussion with local crisis care providers and present a video outlining the City’s submission on police reform to the Province of BC. The wide-ranging discussion will focus on the connections between issues such as housing affordability, the opioid crisis, the global COVID-19 pandemic, community inclusivity and reconciliation, and police reform.  The public is invited to submit questions to the panel in advance or on zoom during the live discussion.

“From the ongoing trauma caused by residential schools to the emergence of Black Lives Matter and police reform movements, it is clear that our systems for dealing with crisis care in the community are not working,” said Councillor Nadine Nakagawa, chair of the City’s Police Reform Working Group. “Our City Council is listening to our community and taking a compassionate approach in exploring new ways to ensure we have a community that is safe, respectful and inclusive for all.”

The Province of BC is currently considering reforms to the Police Act and invited public submissions on the topic. The City of New Westminster made a comprehensive submission, which was developed through extensive consultation and dialogue with key stakeholders and the community.

"We need fundamental changes in the policing model to move away from a focus on enforcement to address the root causes of the social disorders that disrupt our community’s quality of life and wellbeing," said Councillor Nakagawa. "What we need is housing, healthcare, and community services so all members of our community have the chance to thrive”.

The City’s proposed approach is based on four core pillars:

1. Developing a new model of community response that relies on a full spectrum of service providers to address public safety.
    
2. Providing a voice for racialized and vulnerable populations so that policing and supporting services are inclusive and respectful, rather than isolating and harmful.
    
3. Enhancing and expanding the collection of data and its analysis so that more informed decisions can be made on how public safety and related issues are being addressed.
    
4. Reforming Police Boards to provide greater accountability at the community level.

A full copy of the City’s submission and supporting video can be viewed at: https://www.newwestcity.ca/task-forces/articles/7969.php.

The Zoom webinar discussion will be streamed live on the City of New Westminster’s Facebook page. Click here to access the discussion on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 6:30 pm. The video of the discussion will also be posted on the New West Matters page on the City’s website, for post event viewing. Residents will be able to submit questions in advance by email to   or during the livestream on zoom. The City of New Westminster is committed to fostering a respectful dialogue on civic issues. Questions including offensive content or tone will not be accepted for discussion

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Media Contact:

Sophie Schreder
Executive Assistant to the Mayor
City of New Westminster
604-527-4522 or