B.C. creates enforcement teams in Kamloops, Kelowna to tackle violent offenders

NANAIMO, B.C. – Teams of police, prosecutors and probation officers are being enlisted to tackle repeat violent offenders in a dozen British Columbia communities.

Premier David Eby says the government will create 12 law enforcement hubs in communities across the province, including Kamloops and Kelowna, dedicated to enforcement and investigation.

He says the new regional hubs are part of the government's Repeat Violent Offending Intervention Initiative and will help prosecutors, police and corrections officials focus on specific prolific repeat offenders to keep communities safe.

The opposition BC Liberals, now called BC United, have been calling on the government to introduce tougher public safety measures, citing numerous violent crimes allegedly connected to people who were arrested and released, only to be involved in other violence shortly afterwards.

Eby says the government will support the hub initiative with $16 million over three years, and introduce a special investigation and targeted enforcement program to help police conduct repeat offender investigations.

Other communities involved in the program are Victoria, Nanaimo, Vancouver, Surrey, New Westminster, Abbotsford, Cranbrook, Prince George, Williams Lake and Terrace.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 12, 2023.