ΑπΑ§ΙρΙη Mayor Colin Basran is echoing the message of the local RCMP detachment - the revolving door of prolific offenders needs to end.
The mayorβs words, posted to his Facebook page, came the same day police released a warning to the public about a man that had hundreds of RCMP files and who had once again been released from custody.
READ MORE: Man with over 420 police files released from custody in ΑπΑ§ΙρΙη
βIt is completely unacceptable that a prolific offender such as this has once again been released into our community,β said Basran. βThe catch-and-release nature of our justice system is letting us all down. Itβs frustrating for you, itβs frustrating for me and itβs frustrating for our RCMP officers who are continually arresting the same people over and over again.β
The following day, ΑπΑ§ΙρΙη RCMP took to Twitter to explain that two more prolific offenders had been arrested, one with 76 police files this year alone.
ΑπΑ§ΙρΙη RCMP arrest two prolific offenders today. One with 76 neg police files in 2022/ The other with 171 neg police files since 2017. Good work Watch 3.
β ΑπΑ§ΙρΙη RCMP (@ΑπΑ§ΙρΙηRCMP)
Const. Mike Della-Paolera said that the resources needed to get repeat offenders off the street are just not available.
βIn my opinion, the money that is being allocated to community services isnβt being doled out properlyβ¦ Itβs not being utilized properly,β said Della-Paolera.
READ MORE: ΑπΑ§ΙρΙη RCMP βnumbβ from chasing repeat offenders
In 2021, ΑπΑ§ΙρΙη had the highest crime rate in the country, and the second-highest crime severity rate.
Basran added that city staff has been pushing the provincial government to make the changes and add the resources to βbreak the cycle.β
βAs co-chair of the BC Urban Mayorβs Caucus, we pushed the province into finally addressing this issue and now we wait for their report and recommended changes. Letβs hope they go far enough to finally help make meaningful change for all of us.β
Jake.courtepatte@kelownacapnews.com
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