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By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Criminals need to be held accountable

Oct 7, 2022 | 5:30 AM

A LOT OF TENSION IS BUILDING THESE DAYS as society tries to deal with marginalized people and still allow people to feel safe in their own community.

When you read the platform of election candidates, whether it be in the Lower Mainland, the Island, Okanagan or here in Kamloops, the idea of a “safe community” is top of mind.

And in the same breath, they talk about helping addicts and those with mental health issues get back to some sense of a normal life. But because they are ill does not mean they shouldn’t have some sort of accountability.

We cannot simply allow addicts to have a safe injection site and then have them go out on the street high and become violent. The justice system needs to be more accountable too.

Just this week, a man was released on day parole despite being considered a moderate to high risk to re-offend. In Vancouver, the Downtown East Side has been described as completely lawless. Other experts have suggested people aren’t even calling the police because often when they’re arrested, those charged are back on the streets in 24 hours.

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The report indicates that repeat offenders and those with mental illnesses are often so entrenched in the system that they simply won’t buy into any kind of rehabilitation.

The City has entered an agreement with the TNRD to have a Community Services Officer replace the previous security officer at the North Shore Library because they are better able to handle the increased level of violence and harassment.

Repeat offenders are getting more sophisticated too, creating more work for law enforcement to track them down. Police are putting more resources into dealing with prolific offenders, but it’s a huge challenge when the courts don’t hold these people accountable for their actions.

It’s bad enough that we don’t feel comfortable walking in some parts of Kamloops but when we get problems in our own neighbourhoods, or in our own homes, it’s worse. Take the case of a Westsyde woman who just last week found someone in her home in the middle of the night. This resident was attacked with a knife and although the attacker fled causing minimal injuries, the trauma of that incident will remain.

Even if rehabilitation isn’t always the answer, and even if the violence is caused by mental state or drug use, there has to be some consequence. We can’t afford to let this situation spiral further out of control.

Some coordinated action needs to be taken between the police, the justice system and those dealing with drug addicts and mental health experts. We need to get a grip on this situation, and it needs to happen now.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.