Chinatown
In December the Alberta government granted itself power to appoint commissioners and one of the first is Michael Lee who has been appointed to the Edmonton Police Commission. Michael Lee has a history of involvement with/in the Chinese community and advocating for safety improvements in Chinatown.
Government appointments to police commissions has been contentious but Lee says it will have no bearing on his decision-making which will be evidenced-based, impartial, and reasoned not politically biased.
Upgrades to Edmonton's Chinatown are long overdue and although they are needed and welcomed there are some who prefer they be postponed. The disruption caused by the upgrades could be the final nail in the coffin of many businesses struggling to survive so wait a year or two is their desire. Businesses that have to contend with construction take a BIG hit that many never recover from.
For more on this read ETS LOWS & WOES that was posted here 2 days ago.
The general increase in crime and the shooting of 2 men in Chinatown last month have spurred City Council and EPS to initiate solutions. The latest is the recent announcement of increased police presence in Chinatown.
Edmonton safety plan has new Chinatown hub for police, other agencies
The city says it's doing a lot of work and funding programs in the Alberta government's jurisdiction — such as the recent $1.8 million spent for the Bissel Centre's day shelter space — and the province needs to step up
A new operations centre in Chinatown, and a plea for Alberta to immediately fund permanent shelter spaces, are part of Edmonton’s new public safety plan ordered by the provincial government.
