Victoria is one of two island cities chosen to use a new “hub” system to tackle violent offenders.
The province is establishing 12 police centres, full-time prosecutors and probation officers to focus on high-octane offences.
Premier David Eby announced the creation of 12 teams at a news conference in Nanaimo on April 12 as part of the province’s $25 million Recurrent Violent Crime Intervention Plan.
The centers will be located in Nanaimo, Victoria, Vancouver, Surrey, New Westminster, Abbotsford, Kamloops, Kelowna, Cranbrook, Prince George, Williams Lake And Teles, each center will also serve the surrounding community.
The centers will work with local stakeholders and existing programs such as fact sheets, “coordinated responses” through the justice system and connecting offenders with social services, according to a province news release.
“These new regional centers will help prosecutors, police and corrections officials focus on specific repeat offenders to keep communities safe,” Eby said in the release. “This will have serious consequences for those who are repeat offenders, while also ensuring that targeted services are delivered to those who are ready to receive them.”
Do you have a story tip? Email: [email protected].
follow us Twitter and Instagram, like us Facebook.
crime in victoria