(CNN) Local politicians in Vancouver, Canada, are pushing to change its policing strategies, after its City Council passed a motion that would limit police response to mental health, substance abuse and other nonviolent issues -- working instead to fund a community-led initiative. "The City of Vancouver is committed to using an equity lens on social issues which include issues relating to police services," the motion reads, also noting that current policing practices disproportionately criminalize Black and Indigenous communities. The motion asks the police board to itemize the work they do relating to mental health, homelessness, drug use and sex work, with the associated costs. The plan then is to create "community-based harm reduction and safety services," with input from organizations such as Black Lives Matter and the Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society, according to the motion. The Vancouver Police Board has not made a public statement on the motion.

Source: CNN July 28, 2020 23:03 UTC