Williams Lake seeks to crack down on prolific offenders
WILLIAMS LAKE — Williams Lake council is fed up with prolific offenders in its community and is asking the Province to do what it can to help.
The city is asking Victoria to support a 24/7 electronic monitoring system for prolific offenders – called Buddi Ltd and endorsed by NDP MLA Mike Farnsworth in 2016 when he was in opposition.
City Councillor Scot Nelson says the program is already being used in several Lower Mainland communities and says its time to bring it to the central Cariboo now that Farnsworth is the public safety minister and solicitor general.
“In 2017 there was 842 curfew checks on various offenders in Williams Lake and the RCMP found that a number of these curfew checks conducted revealed the offenders to be non-compliant,” he says. “So, it’s a significant concern when these individuals are not where they’re supposed to be or directed by the courts. Not only is is a cost issue, but it’s a safety issue for our community.”