BC Urban Mayors’ Caucus Brings Similar Prolific Offender Concerns as Terrace to Attorney General

A group of BC’s urban mayors have joined Terrace in criticizing the province’s handling of repeat offenders.

For Terrace Council, the “catch and release” style of dealing with prolific offenders has been a hot topic for months.

Earlier this month, councillors returned from a trip to Victoria during which they broached the topic with Attorney General David Eby.

Now, the 13 members of the BC Urban Mayors’ Caucus are bringing similar concerns to the Attorney General.

In a letter to Eby, the Mayors echo Terrace’s concerns over increasing property crime, theft, and public safety concerns derived from prolific offenders.

A sample size from 10 of the municipalities represented shows a combined 204 prolific offenders, responsible for 11,648 negative police contacts, though the criteria and period varies.

According to the Caucus, delays and policy issues within the BC Prosecution Service lead to the constant release of repeat offenders.

In the later, which you can read in full here, they provide a few possible solutions, including a review of Prosecution Service policies and guidelines, stricter consequences for repeat offenders, and the establishment of Community Courts, among others.