Local MLA’s take stand on downtown

City Council, via the Intergovernmental Affairs committee has been calling for things like additional Crown prosecutors. Federally, Bill 14 – which sets out bail reforms – has gotten Royal Assent.

“We recognize that a large number of crime is committed by very few of the repeated offenders,” says Mayor Simon Yu. “So we need to – maybe not “three-strike-and-go kind” of legislation, but something in that we, as a citizens, have some confidence that justice and punishment has to be served.”

The letter makes four requests of government:

1. Review the bail, release and charge-assessment practices applied to repeat and high-risk offenders in Prince George, and report publicly on what is driving the pattern of arrest-and-immediate-release;

2. Work with federal counterparts where jurisdiction overlaps and advocates directly for the changes necessary to keep individuals who pose a demonstrated danger to the community in custody pending trial;

3. Commit dedicated provincial resources to support the Prince George RCMP in providing enhanced enforcement and the 24/7 patrols being contemplated for the downtown core; and

4. Schedule a meeting with us and representatives of the business community in Prince George at the earliest opportunity to discuss a clear plan of action with measurable objectives.

And Clare says the issue is not isolated to Prince George. Communities across the province are facing the same chronic problems.

“This is not a local problem,” notes Clare. “This is a provincial, and probably even a national problem that requires governments to cooperate and collaborate at all levels in order to resolve it. You’ve got issues of, fires in all communities in this region.”

The MLA’s conclude “the taxpayers and job-creators of Prince George deserve more than reassurance, they deserve results and they stand at the ready to work with you constructively and without delay to deliver them.”

by Cheryl Jahn

Local MLA’s take stand on downtown

What's Trending