Repeat property crime offender program piloted in Nanaimo expands province-wide

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The program increases resources available to police, probation officers, corrections staff, Crown prosecutors, mental health specialists and community service providers.

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Repeat property crime offender program piloted in Nanaimo expands province-wide

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Already in place through parts of the Lower Mainland, Cranbrook, Prince George, Kamloops, Kelowna, Terrace and Victoria, new communities will include Courtenay, Castlegar/Nelson, Penticton, and Langley.

Second iterations of the C-POII program will be added in Victoria, Surrey and Kelowna, while Vancouver will see three instances operating.

The program will run in conjunction with the Repeat Violent Offending Intervention Initiative, launched in Nanaimo and several other communities in 2023.

It’s expected the increase in funding and program scope will see C-POII actively monitor upwards of 865 individuals involved in repeat property crimes.

Nanaimo RCMP Insp. Donovan Tait said Monday they’ve seen tangible benefits from the C-POII program, working in partnership with different organizations and focusing their resources “on a small number of repeat offenders committing a disproportionate amount of crime in our city.”

“One offender early on in the program who was identified, through the wraparound approach, digging into the needs of this offender with community corrections and Crown prosecutors, was able to get a fairly significant custodial sentence, where in times past that may have been a time served (sentence) or probation order.”

Sonia Komen, owner of The Nanaimo Bar on Front St. where Monday’s event was held, said her and her staff routinely deal with repeat offenders.

Several windows and doors have been smashed at her establishment by people either trying to steal from the bar, or just wanting to cause damage.

“It’s 11 p.m. at night, we’re at a busy bar and you never know what’s going to happen. The safety of patrons, residents, and staff that work downtown is at risk, and it’s really hard to get people to come downtown right now. It’s a struggle, but our community downtown is very strong, and we’re all working hard to try and stay together…we want it to be great again, safe again.”

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