Provincial prolific offender investigation makes sense: Kamloops mayor

May 5, 2022 | 4:23 PM

KAMLOOPS — Thursday afternoon (May 5), the B.C. government along with the B.C. Urban Mayors’ Caucus announced that two experts have been hired to investigate and report on prolific offenders and random violent attacks. The investigation and recommendation structure is similar to actions taken by the province to address money-laundering.

A written report with recommendations will be prepared as part of the investigation and released publicly in early fall.

Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian was pleased to action finally being taken on the widespread issue.

“The obvious reaction is, ‘Oh no, another study,’ but I guess when you look a little deeper there are some things embedded in that that do make some sense. First, 120 days — so there is a real time limit on it. Secondly, (Eby) has focused the experts to look at the court system and the relationship between the courts and prolific offenders,” said Christian. “Most importantly from my perspective, he has talked about compulsory care.”

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The experts have been advised that if they find opportunities that do not need to wait for a final report, they should advise government so action can be taken earlier in the process. But, with the final report 120 days away, Christian feels for the local businesses still four months away from help.

“I have a great deal of empathy for them, and I hear from them virtually every day about incidents in Kamloops. We work with our community services officers and with the RCMP very closely with the tools that we have right now, but those tools aren’t enough and that’s the point we’ve made with the attorney general. I think today he has listened,” said Christian.

by Michael Reeve

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Provincial prolific offender investigation makes sense: Kamloops mayor

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