VIDEO: ‘We need strong action now:’ Nanaimo to host new repeat violent offender initiative

Eby added a constant challenge for prosecutors is dealing with offenders being arrested overnight and appearing in court the following day.

Many times, the full extent of their history in the community isn’t readily known and can lead to offenders with repeat issues being released.

“There will be flags on individual files so that the prosecution team will know this is one of the dedicated files,” Eby added. “It will go to this team that will have the full history so that the prosecution team can know this is an identified individual that is committing multiple offences and deserves additional attention.”

Victoria, Vancouver, Surrey, New Westminster, Abbotsford, Kamloops, Kelowna, Cranbrook, Prince George, Williams Lake and Terrace will be the other 11 sites.

The initiative involves 40 new prosecutors province-wide working in the 12 communities for better communication and cohesion between various arms of the province justice system.

The hubs are designed to connect with local groups in each of the communities, and together with any other rehabilitative programs already operating.

Eby said hires are complete and training is underway with the teams set to start in early May.

“We need strong action now, not just here in Nanaimo but across the province. I know this isn’t what people want for their community…and it’s certainly not what our government sees for the future of Nanaimo.”

Funding from the province amounts to $16 million over three years and is part of approximately $1 billion in budgeted funds toward mental health and addiction services province-wide.

Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said the announcement was a start and a step in the right direction.

“We face in our streets across this province, the results of 30 and 40 years of failed social and health policy. We have deferred a number of people into our court system who should be in our healthcare system and we’ve probably deferred some people into our healthcare system who should be in our court system.”

Also included in Wednesday’s announcement was the commitment of $75,000 in provincial funding to the City of Nanaimo for its Downtown Nanaimo Safety Action Plan.

Clint Smith (centre, beard and baseball cap) was at the event with Premier David Eby on Wednesday, released from hospital and recovering from gunshot wounds received in March. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Following the announcement by Eby, public safety minister Mike Farnworth met briefly with Clint Smith, a Nanaimo business owner shot after entering a downtown encampment to retrieve items he believed to be stolen from his Townsite Rd. business.

The frank conversation, which also included Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA Doug Routley, featured a frustrated Smith saying there was a continued lack of action from the province.

“Do something about it,” Smith demanded when speaking on crime and social disorder. “A whole lot more action and a whole lot less lip service is required Mike. All these talks about how you guys consulted local businesses, how many times I’ve been violated at my business and nobody’s knocked on my damn door.”

Smith also claimed no one from the province reached out to him while he was in hospital recovering.

“I think this community has failed its citizens,” he said, shortly before refusing to shake Farnworth’s hand telling him he had to earn Smith’s respect.

To date, a single minor firearms charge has been laid in connection to the Terminal Ave. shooting, although more are expected.

The event Wednesday was long called for by locals following a growing number of violent crimes, many involving repeat offenders.

Fed-up residents held a rally near Country Club Centre in late January sharing stories of how petty and violent crimes are affecting their lives and businesses.

Months later, following the shooting of Smith on Terminal Ave. after a fight at a nearby encampment, another rally again demanded action from the provincial and federal governments.

Frustration is primarily around an endless cycle for repeat offenders who commit a crime, are released on a promise to appear and then either no-show their court appearance or continue offending in the interim.

Many also routinely raise concerns about a lack of harsh penalties and charges laid in connection to violent incidents.

Nanaimo resident and business owner Chrissy Forsythe said the time is now for tangible action from all levels of government.

“The message is to keep violent, repeat offenders off the streets. The talking is getting a little old, we need to see results. You can say as much as you want, you can throw as much money at it as you want, if there’s no change it’s dead in the water.”

She added while a lot of attention is rightfully placed on issues in the Downtown Eastside, including the recent removal of a growing encampment in the neighbourhood, other parts of B.C. are hurting just as much.

“We need help, we need support. The people who are committing these issues and these crimes, they need help and support not just to be thrown out on the street to behave like this.”

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by NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

VIDEO: ‘We need strong action now:’ Nanaimo to host new repeat violent offender initiative

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