Big changes have now been set in stone for the bylaw department in Kamloops as the ‘Bylaw Division’ becomes the ‘Community Services Division’.

Mayor Ken Christian says this will help bylaw officers be better equipped to handle social issues on the streets.

“Bylaw officer traditionally have been involved in parking control and dog control, and that was in a kinder and gentler time. And now there are a lot of social issues on our streets, and we need help in terms of dealing with people and pointing them in the right direction.”

Christian says street issues have been negatively affecting businesses and have required an inordinate amount of police time to handle.

Meanwhile, Christian was asked if the restructuring will lead to any layoffs or changes to staffing within the bylaw department.

“Any changes would be conducted in accordance with the agreement that we have with CUPE Local 900, and it will remain within the budget allotment for bylaw services and there will be increases in there. But whether or not people are in different positions will remain to be seen.”

NL News first reported last month that this change was being discussed in closed council meetings through the summer.

Christian says the move was first discussed not long after the authority of bylaw officers was expanded by the B.C. government as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.