A team of prosecutors, probation officers and police focused on dealing with repeat violent offenders is now up and running in Prince George, according to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
It's part of the provincial government's Repeat Violent Offending Intervention Initiative (ReVOII) program and one of 12 "hubs" across the province that became operational on May 1.
"ReVOII hubs have been structured to meet the unique needs of each community and has members who live and work in the region so they are familiar with local issues and concerns," the ministry said.
Members of ReVOII hub in Prince George "are in the process of assessing referrals and meeting with various agencies and programs to collaborate and share information about how best to address the needs of individuals that are identified for this program."
At its most recent regular meeting, city council approved hiring of two two additional RCMP officers to work alongside the team in Prince George, using funding already approved in the 2023 budget.
And this week, federal Justice Minister David Lametti introduced legislation that would impose reverse-onus bail conditions for people charged with serious violent offences involving a weapon, in cases where the person was convicted of a similar violent offence within the past five years.
It would also add some firearms offences to existing reverse-onus provisions, and expand their use in cases where the alleged crimes involve intimate partner violence.
Prosecutors in such cases would no longer have to prove to judges why offenders should stay behind bars.
However, experts say the bill introduced could be subject to a Charter challenge and see limited results.
- with files from Arthur Williams, Prince George Citizen and David Fraser, The Canadian Press.
