Measuring What Matters: Performance Measurement in Local Government Operations

Analyzing and acting on operational data can lead to major strides in the area of business improvement. Operational data is information that is tracked and provided from dispatch centres, mobile terminals, and databases – just to name a few. These real-time data streams coupled with the ability to properly ingest, process, and analyze the data, … Read more

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Hospitalizations and Deaths in Canada

Given the success in increasing fire safety across Canada as a result of legislative and community-based initiatives and policies related to smoke detectors, there are clear benefits to expanding the scope of the Smoke Alarm Movement to incorporate carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Previous research has demonstrated that accidental CO poisoning can be reduced through a … Read more

BCLC’S Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program from the Perspectives and Experiences of Program Participants

Gambling is a common pastime for British Columbians, with 73% of adults in 2014 reporting past year gambling (R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd, 2014). Unfortunately, for approximately 3% of this population, gambling becomes more than just a pastime and problem symptoms can begin to emerge, such as difficulties in limiting the amount or time spent … Read more

A Cursory Review of Selected Crime Prevention Coordination Mechanisms

Crime prevention coordination mechanisms are internationally recognized as a key feature of any successful national crime prevention strategy. Such mechanisms have been historically developed to effectively and efficiently facilitate priority areas, mobilize communities and stakeholders, and increase regional capacity to ultimately reduce crime and improve the quality of life for all.

Enhancing Surrey RCMP Detachment’s Domestic Violence Unit

Violence against women is a global concern, so much so that in 1993 the United Nations issued a Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women in which they defined violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including … Read more

The Legalization and Regulation of Marijuana and Implications for Local Government

The purpose of this study is to provide the City of Surrey with a literature review of journal articles and technical reports relating to the pending legalization and regulation of marijuana in Canada. The literature review is centred around five main themes: (1) marijuana harms to infants, children, and youth: (2) marijuana use and burn … Read more

Occupational Exposure to Asbestos among Civic Workers: A Risk Assessment of Low-dose Exposure

Asbestos is a human carcinogen and has been prohibited in many countries around the world. Long-term exposure to asbestos can lead to negative health outcomes including mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural thickening, and lung cancer. The incidence of asbestos-related disease has been increasing in industrialized countries over the past decade. Exposure to asbestos and the risk for … Read more

A Response to Illicit Drug Overdoses: Naloxone Administration in Surrey and Vancouver, British Columbia

The administration of naloxone by fire first responders was initiated in Vancouver and Surrey in response to increasing opioid related overdose incidents along with the inability of first responders’ to administer an antidote treatment. The naloxone administration protocol was implemented in February 2016 and this study discusses the experiences to date in both cities. Overall, … Read more

An Analysis of the Socio-Economic and Socio-Demographic Contributors to Property Crime in the Lower Mainland District

According to the data presented by police leaders at the September 29th, 2015 Metro Vancouver Crime Meeting, property crime increased for the second consecutive year in the Lower Mainland District (LMD) of British Columbia. Of the 22 RCMP and municipal police jurisdictions that comprise the LMD, it was reported that, between January and August 2015, … Read more