Prince George residents have had enough.
A rally, organized by Sean Greco, to protest the large increase in crime throughout the city was held this morning (Aug. 28) in front of the Prince George Courthouse.
"We want to see stiffer sentences; no more slaps on the wrist," Greco told PrinceGeorgeMatters in an interview before the event. "If it's a case where drugs are the influence, send them to treatment and if it's due to mental health issues, make sure they connect with one of the agencies in town."
Today, that message was echoed again and it was loud and clear.
"The idea behind this is that one voice can make a difference," Nancy Long, the wife of Sean Greco said. "Even a small group of voices can make a difference. We are done with the revolving door justice system. People understand that even if they commit a crime, they will be out shortly."
Earlier this month, local Mounties issued a warning after 17 break-and-enters occurred in just over one week from Aug. 4 to 12.
A Prince George man was also charged after committing three break-and-enters in 24 hours. Two were at the BCR Industrial Site and another on 10th Ave.
The same day, a Prince George gas station was robbed, with two adults and two youths being charged, after an employee was struck in the head with a blunt object. Cash and cigarettes were taken, however, the suspects didn't get far and were arrested at a nearby elementary school.
"We need change. This system does not work," Long said. "We've crossed the line between assisting people to understand that these behaviours are not acceptable within our community and we need to change from enabling these behaviours. If we are not part of the change, we are part of the problem."
Nancy Long and her husband Sean Greco organized the rally out of frustration that nothing is being done about the increase of crime and the light sentences and releases that happen to those who commit detained #pgmatters #cityofpg #crime @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/V4cm4qq1Dn
— jess fedigan (@jj_fedigan) August 28, 2019
Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty was also on hand and explained he too has heard the frustration from citizens around the city as well as in his riding.
"I've also heard it all throughout our riding where that property crime and personal crime is getting to the point where communities have had enough," he said. "They want that revolving door closed. If somebody is committing that crime there's a punishment that fits it. So what you're seeing today is that frustration boiling over. The strongest voice is a grassroots voice."
.@ToddDohertyMP is here at the Prince George courthouse where citizens are protesting the rise of crime within the city. Residents want to see more than just a “slap on the wrist.” #cityofpg #pgmatters @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/NBsAtmqu2P
— jess fedigan (@jj_fedigan) August 28, 2019
A petition is also circulating, with Greco and Long hoping to catch the attention of the minister of justice.
"It's one thing that they are using their voice," Doherty adds. "But are they being heard? They are being heard loud and clear and we need to make sure that we're putting the rights of the victims and communities first and foremost."
