Cranbrook city council got some face time with B.C.’s public safety minister Mike Farnworth on Wednesday (May 24), who is currently touring through the Kootenays and other interior communities as part of a listening tour.

Cranbrook mayor Wayne Price, along with the majority of city council, met with Farnworth and Glen Lewis, B.C.’s Director of Police Services, for a Safer Communities roundtable discussion in the new council chambers at city hall, according to a news release.

“On behalf of Council, I want to thank Minister Farnworth for taking the time to meet with Council,” said Mayor Wayne Price. “I was certainly left with the impression that both Minister Farnworth and Mr. Lewis were truly concerned with the safety issues in Cranbrook and are committed to working with the City on these issues.”

Identifying Cranbrook’s specific concerns and needs was the goal of the session.

“Of the local public safety, crime — specifically frequent and repeat theft and property crime — drugs and enforcement concerns we brought forward about Cranbrook, they were aware of our issues and indicated they are in the process of looking at changes in programs available in order to address them.

“We also discussed social issues, affordable housing other partnership opportunities between the Province and the City for improving the safety of living in Cranbrook.”