A copy of the letter released on BC Liberals site says that many prolific and repeat offenders in our communities are “walking freely” and are openly flouting laws “while awaiting charges”
VICTORIA: BC Liberals have releaseda copy of a 5-page letter written by 13 BC Urban Mayors’ Caucus (BCUMC) urban mayors who are calling on the provincial government to take stronger action against prolific offenders.
The letter addressed to Attorney General David Eby’sand Public Safety minister Mike Farnworth, highlights the critical issues communities are facing with repeat offenders’ criminal activity and catch and release justice cycle.
The letter offers data collected from BCUMC policing agencies of prolific offenders breaking laws over and over again after being released by the courts.
The letter cites the example of variousoffenders from Abbotsford, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Prince George and Victoria, who have generated 100s of RCMP files but either have been routinely release without condition or none of the files resulting in charges. One offender from Prince George had generated 916 PRIME files since 2016 however none of the files have resulted in any charges.
“Our residents, frontline police officers and our councils are frustrated. We implore Province and for your Ministries to move forward quickly on tangible solutions both in short-term and long term to address prolific offenders and the catch and release cycle with in the justice system,” the letter mentioned.
“Last month, Minister Eby claimed that Opposition anecdotes shared in Question Period were ‘not backed up by the statistics’ — but the damning criminal offence data shared by the BC Urban Mayors’ Caucus in its April 5 letter proves otherwise,” said MLA Mike Morris, BC Liberal Critic for Public Safety and Solicitor General. “These crimes are becoming increasingly violent and brazen — it’s time for the Attorney General to do something about prolific offenders and their impact on our communities. His lack of action is undermining public confidence in the justice system and has brought it completely into disrepute.”
“The letter from the mayors shows that since 2017, there has been a 118 per cent increase in the amount of time it is taking the Province to review files it receives from police; a 75 per cent increase in the rate of no-charge assessments; and a 26 per cent decrease in the number of accused being approved to go to court. The data also provides a variety of examples from various communities where a single offender has generated hundreds of police files yet is routinely released with conditions and subsequently re-offends. These individuals are rarely, if ever, charged,” the Liberal release said.
The letter signed by mayors mentioned, “We understand that some prolific offenders experience mental health challenges, homelessness and/or problematic substance use….We continue to advocate for the urgent need for complex care housing.”
“Not all prolific property offenders require a health-care response, but rather require that their repeated and constant offending be deterred and denounced.”
“The solution is not for municipalities to keep adding safety resources … which has come at the cost of other essential services, programs and infrastructure,” the letter said.
The mayors call for stricter bail conditions, more community courts, reassessing B.C. Prosecution Service’s charge assessment guidelines, more resources for the prosecution service and more disclosure from the service in homicide cases.
