Council UBCM resolutions addressed

PRINCE GEORGE – The relationship between Crown and the local police force has been strained of late, prompting the first resolution Council sent to the Union of BC Municipalities in September. It seeks efficiencies in disclosure to reduce delays in charges being laid for the prosecution of criminal offences. The response from the Attorney General referred to a review that was less than satisfactory to the city top cop.

“I read that response and my first reaction is that it doesn’t address the wording in the Crown Counsel Act, where it states they’ll examine all relevant information prior to charge approval,” says Superintendent Shaun Wright with the Prince George Detachment. “Talking about expediting the flow of information on the back end really doesn’t affect the amount of time it takes police together and prepare the evidence on the front.”

One resolution did get endorsement from the UBCM Executive was around the need for no-barrier housing of which Prince George, or in fact, the rest of the province, lacks. It would present virtually no restrictions to accessing housing. But as the author of the resolution notes, it’s housing, not a shelter.