A number of recommendations from a recent report on repeat offenders have helped to form the province’s new Safer Communities Action Plan.
Released in September, that report was undertaken after numerous municipalities brought up concerns over the recent uptick in repeat offenders.
Now, in one of his first acts as Premier, David Eby has released a plan which he says lays out concrete steps to improving enforcement and intervention.
Under the plan, the province is launching 12 civilian-led Peer Assisted Care Teams, which will provide trauma informed, culturally safe support for those in crisis.
It will also see them create regional repeat violent offender response teams to monitor high-risk offenders, and gather information to keep them in custody pre-trial.
Expanded virtual bail hearings will keep offenders from gettin trapped in hub cities, and bail policy changes will give prosecutors clearer direction.
Other measures include: the creation of 10 new Indigenous Justice Centres, information sharing agreements, and a new pilot program to increase addictions treatment in the south.
Terrace was among the first communities to voice frustration over the province’s “catch-and-release” system back in March.
Mayor Sean Bujtas says he is glad to see the province working with a variety of agencies to mitigate the challenges municipalities are facing.
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