B.C. makes dozens of recommendations to tackle repeat offenders, random violence
A sweeping set of recommendations meant to address the "public safety challenges" of repeat offenders and random violence in B.C. was released Wednesday
The 28 recommendations come after a four-and-a-half-month study of the issues done by former Vancouver police chief Doug LePard and criminologist Dr. Amanda Butler. That study came after the BC Urban Mayors' Caucus raised their concerns with the province in April.A sweeping set of recommendations meant to address the "public safety challenges" of repeat offenders and random violence in B.C. were released Wednesday.
"While some have tried to claim there are quick fixes, we knew it was a bigger problem," said Attorney General Murray Rankin at a news conference.
Among the proposals are increased investment in community-led responses to mental health crises, creating "low secure units" in which people can be involuntarily detained under the Mental Health Act, and specifically dedicating Crown counsel and probation officers to cases involving repeat offenders.
"Today’s recommendations will support meaningful, long-lasting change, and offer some opportunities for shorter-term actions so we can make our communities safer,” Rankin said.
While the detailed recommendations touch on the role of police, Crown counsel, the courts and corrections, the report's summary notes that the criminal justice system alone can not effectively address the root causes of many crimes.
"Long-term reductions in crime require that the provincial government invest significantly in addressing the systems-level issues that contribute to offending, including systemic racism, poverty, inadequate health services, food insecurity, and housing unaffordability," the report reads.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said three particular recommendations will be the first priorities for government.
First, reinstating the Prolific Offender Management model which was piloted between 2008 and 2012. The elements of this include selecting a group of repeat offenders and tailoring a plan for how to respond to their "unique needs" using a combination of support services and "enforcement activities." Case management, the report says, would be done by a team with representatives from law enforcement and other agencies.
"It is not sustainable, desirable, or effective for police to continue to bear the primary responsibility to manage people who offend repeatedly," it continues.
Second, Farnworth said there will be swift movement in establishing a dedicated provincial committee that would look at how to best meet the needs of those with complex issues. This committee, the report says, would be "focused on coordinating communication and service integration planning between health, criminal justice, and social service organizations."
Third, a pilot project in Prince George that would specifically work with repeat offenders who are Indigenous. This recommendation came from the First Nations Justice Council and includes a $100,000 funding commitment.
BC LIBERALS RESPOND
Opposition leader Kevin Falcon says the recommendations and broader conversation around these issues are missing a key focus: the victims of crime.
"I think the report really misses the mark by not really recognizing the devastating impact that a lot of these prolific offenders are having in terms of people feeling safe in their own communities," said Falcon.
He believes to protect the public, prolific offenders with serious mental illness need to be taken off the streets.
"We need to compassionately but firmly take those that have severe mental health issues, involuntarily if necessary, off the street into proper 24/7 care with proper psychiatric support," said Falcon.
Involuntary treatment is not among the report's recommendations. Falcon says if repeat offenders are let back into the community, random attacks and street crime will continue to increase.
"British Columbians in almost every part of this province are very, very concerned about the explosion of social disorder and chaos in communities across this province that has taken place under this NDP government," he said, adding "They are responsible for keeping people safe in their own communities. This is a fundamental duty, and they're failing in that duty."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.