The city wants to talk about crime
Photo: Castanet / archive
It is time for the province to find solutions to deal with the prolific criminals responsible for an “overwhelming part of property crime incidents.”
This is according to a “Confidence in Justice: Advocacy Paper” generated by the city of Kelowna, which the city council will review on Monday.
The document is the city’s latest attempt to draw the provincial government’s attention to its ongoing battle to see changes in what it calls a “catch-and-release” justice system.
The aim of the advocacy document, according to a report, is to generate debate on the issue of crimes against property in the community and to engage in “a productive dialogue with the province to seek the commitment of solutions of significant impacts.”
He suggests more resources within the BC Prosecutor’s Office at the local level and other administrative changes so that the prosecution, “in charge of making decisions respecting the charges recommended by the police,” is in a better position to maintain “public confidence in the administration of BC. justice “.
Much of the problem focuses on criminals who continue to break the law even after they have been arrested and then released while awaiting specific charges.
According to figures released by the Kelowna RCMP late last year, 15 offenders had 1,039 negative contacts with police during the first 11 months of 2021. One offender is said to have been responsible for generating 346 files from the ‘RCMP since 2016, an average of more than one per week for six years.
“Our city council and administration are doing everything they can to address the needs of citizens in terms of public safety,” said Mayor Colin Basran.
“Our community is frustrated with the rise in property crime and the impact that prolific criminals have on our residents and businesses.
“And we need more action from other levels of government to address these concerns.”
Crimes against property declined in 2020 due to the pandemic, but have since seen an increase as restrictions began to ease.