Image: An RCMP Emergency Response Team member at work recently in Chilliwack. / M. Vanden Bosch

By Elenore Sturko, MLA Surrey South

OPINION

YOUR PERSPECTIVE: NDP’s revolving door of justice continues

Apr 3, 2024 | 8:00 AM

Every British Columbian deserves to feel safe in their community.

But for the past seven years under David Eby’s NDP government, violent crime rates have increased province-wide by over 37 percent. This uptick in crime is having a damaging impact on our communities. Many seniors no longer feel safe to walk in their neighbourhoods, parents are worried for the safety of their children, and business owners are being forced to grapple with vandalism, increasing security costs, and merchandise thefts.

Recent data from the BC Prosecution Service, analyzing bail decisions from November 2022 to December 2023, has shed light on this critical issue. The data reveals that under the NDP, detention is being sought in less than half of cases involving violent crimes by individuals already on bail.

A stark example of this from the BC Prosecution Service’s data is observed between December 4 – December 17, 2023. During that time frame the courts dealt with 44 cases where the accused person had at least one charge for a violent offense, at least one charge for a breach of their conditions, and at least one outstanding warrant. Of those 44 cases, BC Prosecutors only argued for detention in 22 of them. They won their arguments, and detention was granted in only seven of those cases.

This resulted in violent offenders being let back onto our streets and into our communities. And it sends a message to violent offenders from David Eby: if you don’t follow the law, you won’t be held accountable.

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This troubling statistic also underscores the failures of our justice system under Premier David Eby, highlighting his soft-on-crime approach that has made people feel less safe. Despite Eby’s repeated promises to address violent crime, he remains lenient, putting communities at risk, and eroding confidence in our justice system.

That’s why BC United announced our “Safer BC” plan — to address the public safety emergency that is occurring across our province under this Premier. Our plan will crack down on bail offenders by directing Crown Counsel to prosecute criminal charges for those breaching their release provisions and probation orders, and failing to appear in court.

Since the NDP’s bail policy change, the rate at which crown prosecutors have sought detention has decreased from 25 percent to 22 percent. David Eby has had years to enact a change that would see improvement in public safety and keep repeat violent offenders behind bars — but he’s done nothing about it. As B.C.’s former Attorney General, David Eby pursued the catch-and-release justice system that is causing the vilent crime and street disorder we’re witnessing today in communities throughout the province.

This is the same Premier who, before becoming a politician, worked for the radical activist group Pivot Legal Society in the Downtown Eastside and who authored the book “How to Sue the Police.” David Eby failed British Columbians in the past, and yesterday’s report shows that he continues to do so today.

BC United, led by Kevin Falcon, will reverse this trend and restore order to our streets. In addition to cracking down on bail offenders, our Safer BC plan also looks to pursue consequences for all crimes including vandalism, property theft, and shoplifting. By bringing back community service as a consequence of minor crimes, we will work to restore accountability.

This government’s leniency and soft-on-crime approach do not align with the vision of safety and security we hold for our province. Under Falcon’s leadership, BC United is committed to prioritizing the well-being and rights of law-abiding British Columbians over those of repeat violent offenders. We intend to implement real, impactful changes that will restore public confidence and ensure that every British Columbian can feel safe in their community once again.

The time for half-measures and ineffective policies is over. The current state of public safety under David Eby demands an overhaul.

United, we will fix it.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of Fraser Valley Today or Pattison Media.