Langley City Rejects Langley Township’s Unfair RCMP Cost-Sharing Demand

I wanted to share this important press release about policing in Langley. For more information, I encourage you to read the extensive background information that Langley City has put together.

As the Mayor of Langley City and a proud resident, you have my word that I will always stand up for our community. When it comes to policing, I’m committed to working together to reach an agreement based on regional best practices to ensure Langley City taxpayers receive value for their money.

Langley City, B.C. – Langley City has made numerous attempts to renew the Police Servicing Agreement with Langley Township prior to and after its expiry on December 31, 2022. This agreement, which has been in place since 2007 and renewed every five years, outlines how policing resources, including RCMP members and support staff, are cost-shared between the two communities like other shared RCMP services in the Metro Vancouver region. Despite the City’s best efforts, it has been unable to reach a new negotiated agreement with the Township. The City received a proposal from the Township on November 26, 2024, with terms that the City believes places an undue burden on Langley City taxpayers to fund policing in both communities.

“The City rejects the Township’s latest proposal because it simply amounts to bullying tactics, with unilateral terms that are not based on evidence by experts in policing or regional best practices for cost-sharing based on crime rate and population,” said Mayor Nathan Pachal.

Langley City is committed to maintaining the current RCMP cost-sharing agreement with the Township until May 10, 2025, ensuring continued benefits for both communities.

In addition to the Police Servicing Agreement, the two municipalities also share the costs for the RCMP detachment building, which was jointly built and has been used since 1993. Langley City is committed to negotiating a fair and reasonable agreement for the capital and operating costs for the detachment building after May 10, 2025. “It is neither reasonable, nor will it provide safe and effective policing for both communities, if the Township evicts Langley City RCMP members and support staff from the detachment building in May 2025,” said Mayor Pachal. “We want to negotiate a solution that allows our RCMP members and staff to remain in the building until an alternate solution can be found.”

Langley City remains hopeful that an equitable arrangement can be reached that benefits both communities. “Our priority continues to be collaboration, community safety, and responsible management of taxpayer dollars,” added Mayor Pachal.

Stay Up to Date on the Fraser Highway One-Way Project

Render of streetscape improvements along Fraser Highway Oneway. Select image to enlarge.

It is now January, and with the 206th Street utility work wrapped up, the Fraser Highway One-Way renewal project has started its next phase, the section between Salt Lane and 206th Street.

All businesses are open, and ample parking is just off the Fraser Highway One-Way. The easiest place to park is at City Hall/Timms Community Centre, which has three hours of free parking. Downtown Langley is also an easy walk from most areas of our community, a quick bike ride, or bus trip.

The City has created a special mailing list just for this project to keep you in the loop. If you are interested in this project, please sign up.

You can read the first project update on Langley City's website.

Construction is disruptive, and I look forward to the completion of this project, which will replace almost century-old pipes, underground hydro, and improve the Fraser Highway One-Way experience.

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Why Are Crows Destroying the Grass and What Can Be Done

You've likely noticed there are a lot of crows digging up grass in Langley City recently, and you might be wondering why this is happening. The reason is the European Chafer, an invasive species that was inadvertently introduced to Metro Vancouver in 2001. It was first detected in New Westminister and has been slowly spreading. This infestation is now establishing itself in Langley City.

The European Chafer lays its eggs in grass, and its grubs feed on grass roots over the fall and spring. You'll notice an infestation if you have patches of dead or thinning grass, but this can go unnoticed because grubs feed during our rainy season. These grubs are delicious for crows, and while you might blame the crows for destroying grass, the European Chafer has already killed it. The crows are just a symtom.

Langley City's Parks department is fully aware that the European Chafer is in our community and is working on addressing it in our parks and boulevards. What can you do for your lawn?

If you live in a strata, a good first step is to let your strata council know and ask them to ask your landscapers to look into landscaping that is more resilient to European Chafer.

If you are responsible for your lawn, one thing you can do is mow your lawn to a taller height of 6-9 centimetres. You can also test a patch of your lawn over the fall through spring to see if you have an infestation. If you do, there are treatments available.

As for the crows, they are providing you with a service. They are removing the European Chafer. It is actually best practice to allow them to eat up these grubs. You can plant grass seeds or resod your lawn in April or May.

For more information on preventing and handling a European Chafer infestation, please read the document "Best Management Practices for European Chafer Beetle in the Metro Vancouver Region."