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B.C. Mayors, opposition MLA’s call for action on prolific offenders

Apr 27, 2022 | 5:34 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – An unsafe environment plagued by crime may be on display in Prince George, although BC’s Northern Capital is far from the only city in BC faced with it.

The unsafe environment spurred the BC Urban Mayor Caucus into action by penning a letter directly to Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing David Eby, along with Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth.

13 BC Mayors signed the letter including Prince George’s Mayor Lyn Hall.

Chair of the BC Urban Mayors Caucus and Mayor of Victoria Lisa Helps said the issue is simply the people who keep being arrested aren’t getting the help they need.

Data included in the letter points out that 204 of BC’s top prolific offenders in urban centres were linked as potentially chargeable suspects to a staggering 11, 648 police files. The grand total still does not include all files linked in some way to the repeat offenders.

The opposition has also been active in advocating for action from the NDP in the BC Legislature, earlier this week several BC Liberal MLA’s called Eby dismissive during question period while pressing him on the issue.

Opposition Critic for Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Morris said the unfortunate reality is that lives will be lost as a result of inaction, whether that is police officers, innocent bystanders, or other members of the public.

Eby did acknowledge the current system is not perfect, although work continues to improve it.

Chair of the BC Urban Mayors Caucus and Mayor of Victoria Lisa Helps said the work since the letter was sent on April 5 has been productive, although a solution will take time.