Last week crime in our communities made headlines once again when a prolific high-risk and repeat offender worked his way through the courts and managed to stay out of jail despite the 21 more recent charges that have been laid against him.
I know how frustrated each and every one of us has become — particularly with the recent events of senseless vandalism and graffiti in 100 Mile House. And everyone is well aware of the recent rash of thefts and property break-ins in Williams Lake and throughout our whole riding.
In response, Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb and every single member of the city council have repeatedly written to Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, specifically requesting the reinstatement of Electronic Monitoring Devices so that we can at least have some manner of protection from prolific high-risk and repeat offenders.
READ MORE: Doerkson recognized as Stampede volunteer of the year
Like my counterpart at the federal level, MP Todd Doherty, I am backing up Mayor Cobb, city council and RCMP Inspector Jeff Pelley and the numerous constituents that are calling for something to be done to better protect the public. People need — and naturally expect — to feel secure in their own homes and shouldn’t have to worry about a break-in while they are at the grocery store.
I know RCMP detachments throughout our region are making this issue a strategic priority because too often high-risk or repeat offenders are free to offend again and again. Think of the amount of precious police resources that could be saved if we were not chasing after the same individuals all the time.
We must advocate for legislation that will change the outcome of these arrests. We need to be working together at all levels to finally end all these frustrating outcomes that continue to threaten our rural communities.
Lorne Doerkson is the Liberal MLA for the Cariboo-Chilcotin.
Â
editor@wltribune.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
