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
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.