In response to "unacceptable behaviour by some members of the public," West Shore RCMP officers will be in attendance at tonight's (Jan. 13) City of Langford meeting.

The city has said the decision has been made "out of an abundance of caution", and has described the decision as "regrettable but necessary."

"Recent feedback from some members of staff indicates increasing concerns for their personal safety," said a city spokesperson in a news release.

The city has said it has a statutory duty to "protect the physical and psychological safety of staff and members of the public during public meetings."

"It is regrettable that these steps are necessary, as the city actively encourages the sharing of diverse views," said the spokesperson. "However, some members of the public have chosen to express their views in a manner that cannot and must not continue.

"While it is important to ensure everyone has a voice, it is equally important to safeguard the democratic process and the ability of citizens to participate freely without fear of retaliation from those with opposing views."

In addition to public reminders, the city has taken other steps to support staff who have expressed concerns for their physical and emotional safety after recent council meetings, says the news release.

Ahead of the 7 p.m. meeting on Monday (Jan. 13), a rally has been organized by a small group of residents to call for the resignation of Coun. Lillian Szpak.

The event, which has been organized via social media, refers to the findings of an investigation by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for B.C. (OIPC), which found the council had breached privacy law when sharing a residentB次元官网网址檚 personal information.

The original complaint made in 2021 by Langford resident Ed Court, alleged Szpak had B次元官网网址渋llegally obtainedB次元官网网址� his personal information from the cityB次元官网网址檚 bylaw department, which she then shared with other city staff and councillors.

At that time, Court was involved in a parking dispute with his neighbour, the son of Szpak, which began in 2020. 

While the investigator did not name anyone in their letter to Court, they did confirm his personal information was shared internally with "those in the city" who had a "personal rather than work-based interest" in his bylaw enforcement complaint.