21582 replies to this topic

[A Girl is No one]

Today's TC article on "catch and release" explains a lot of the process. But something’s missing.


What’s missing is an explanation of the consequences to the police if they don’t automatically release “more and more” criminals. Are they afraid of spending time in court justifying their decisions to keep people in custody?


So why doesn’t Manak do that? It seems that the police board could give VicPD specific instructions: We order you to send every accused offender with a history of violent crime to a bail hearing, instead of simply releasing them. But that’s not happening. Why not?

Lisa Helps is chair of the police board.
Quasi automatic release of almost all criminals is a lefty cause célèbre.
The only reason this is getting addressed now is because someone in ESQUIMALT complained. Desjardins is co-chair.
Guaranteed if the sexual assault guy had lived/committed the offence in Victoria, nothing would have come out of it other than just more condescending preaching from the mayor.

[A Girl is No one]

It’s far more complex than that if one of the chairs created an environment hospitable for offenders to relocate into VicPD’s jurisdiction.

Right, she created a perfect storm by welcoming all these criminals to the city, and instituting a catch and release police.

In her press release, didn’t she blame the federal for making this catch and release law? (Not that she would follow it if she didn’t like it).

[A Girl is No one]

The same TC article has an academic « expert » who claims that the police in Victoria is not applying the law properly:
« To my mind, it would be more prudent for police to say: ‘We’re going to release when we think it’s reasonable, but when it comes to public safety, leave to the Crown to come up with a unified policy.’ ” » 

He even says that the problems in Victoria are likely not related to this law.
Seems it’s the application of the law that VicPD does that is problematic. Of course, it’s possible that they know that the crown would then just turn these criminals loose anyway, but at least VicPD could point the finger there.

Edited by A Girl is No one, 16 September 2021 - 06:35 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

the article also says the investigating officer often consults the jailer too.  so if you are unlucky enough to be arrested on a quieter day, you might spend the night in jail and court in the morning.  so it sounds like workflow at the police station also comes into play.  it's a lot less work to release than it is to jail and transport to court for sure.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 16 September 2021 - 06:48 AM.

[sebberry]

 

2 Victoria businesses call on city to pay for private security amid concerns of increased crime

 

 

More: https://vancouverisl...crime-1.5587331

 

 

The letter says this policy of "catch and release" is not working and asks if there is a way to hold an accused until it’s better determined if that individual is a threat to reoffend.

The attorney general says no, and says his government is taking a different approach.

"We have an initiative called 'complex care' to recognize that the courts and the prisons are not going to be taking people in the same way they did previously," said Eby. "(The province is looking) to make sure people are stable in housing with increased mental health and addictions supports.”

 

We can start by splitting up the role of Attorney General and Minster of Housing...

Criminals belong in jails.  The mental health and addictions supports need to come before the crime, not after.

[pontcanna]

Steve Wallace had a reputation for sexually harassing teenage girls in Quesnel decades before launching his Victoria driving school

As Wallace rose through Quesnel—from teacher, to mayor, to provincial candidate—more than a dozen women say he was sexually harassing them in school, in cars, and in beauty pageants

By Brishti Basu and Emily Fagan - September 15, 2021 - The Capital Daily

After 20 years of silence, Donna first shared her story at a Subway in 1999. She was working in the franchise of the restaurant chain in Quesnel, BC, a town she has lived in all her life, when an 18-year-old girl came in, visibly shaken up after a driving lesson with Steve Wallace. At the time, he was the mayor and one of the few driving instructors in town.

The allegations of harassment and abuses of power shared by the young woman echoed the experiences that Donna herself had been too afraid to report since her own week of driving lessons with Wallace at age 18 in 1979: his hands on her chest and thigh, the unwanted and uncomfortable comments on her appearance, and the underlying pressure to take things further.

She was shocked and horrified, said Donna, to hear another young woman had gone through experiences similar to her own—while Wallace’s position in the community had only grown stronger.

“I just [couldn’t] believe that he's still getting away with it,” Donna said.

But there were many more people with stories to tell than just Donna and the young woman she met that day. In total, 12 women spoke with Capital Daily for this story; all but four have agreed to put their names to their allegations. Donna’s name has been changed to protect her privacy.

 

More: https://www.capitald...-driving-school

 

[pontcanna]

Information Sought After Sexual Assault on Transit Bus

Date: September 16, 2021 - File: #21-20680

The Saanich Police Department is investigating a sexual assault that occurred on a public transit bus on Friday, September 10, 2021.

The incident took place on route 39 BC Transit Bus which left the University of Victoria exchange at approximately 1:40 p.m. During transit, the suspect approached the woman and committed a sexual assault. Both got off the bus at the Royal Oak Exchange shortly after 2:00 p.m., where she was followed briefly by the suspect before he disappeared. She was not physically injured during the incident.

The suspect is described as a Black man, 20-30 years old, medium build, 5’8” to 5’11” tall, wearing a black skater-style hat, a long-sleeved shirt, black pants, and a dark coloured backpack. A photo has been provided with this release.

If you recognize this person, were a witness to this incident, or have information to provide, please contact the Saanich Police Department at 250-475-4321. You can also report anonymously through the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

 

 
Cst. Markus Anastasiades
Public Information and Communications Officer

media@saanichpolice.ca

[JimV]

There are a lot of moving parts to this catch and release problem:

 

1.  COV inviting criminals, junkies and mental cases to the city.

2.  C75, a federal law, which makes it harder to hold an accused in custody.

3.  Custody resources.

4.  Local application of C75.

5.  Judicial interpretation of C75 and the general disinclination of the courts to prioritize public safety over offender rights.

 

All this within the overall context of public tolerance of all kinds of criminal and deviant behaviour (especially drug use.)  In addition, it is basically illegal for citizens to carry a weapon to defend themselves even though police resources are stretched thin.  All around, a bad situation that will get worse.

[Nparker]

...All around, a bad situation that will get worse.

Agreed. There doesn't seem to be much appetite among the powers that be to make things better.

[rmpeers]

Information Sought After Sexual Assault on Transit Bus

Date: September 16, 2021 - File: #21-20680

The Saanich Police Department is investigating a sexual assault that occurred on a public transit bus on Friday, September 10, 2021.

The incident took place on route 39 BC Transit Bus which left the University of Victoria exchange at approximately 1:40 p.m. During transit, the suspect approached the woman and committed a sexual assault. Both got off the bus at the Royal Oak Exchange shortly after 2:00 p.m., where she was followed briefly by the suspect before he disappeared. She was not physically injured during the incident.

The suspect is described as a Black man, 20-30 years old, medium build, 5’8” to 5’11” tall, wearing a black skater-style hat, a long-sleeved shirt, black pants, and a dark coloured backpack. A photo has been provided with this release.

If you recognize this person, were a witness to this incident, or have information to provide, please contact the Saanich Police Department at 250-475-4321. You can also report anonymously through the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

bus.png

Cst. Markus Anastasiades
Public Information and Communications Officer

media@saanichpolice.ca

No question mask culture gives a huge advantage to criminals.

[rmpeers]

What a horrible person… always pushing ideology under the guise of helping the poor when in fact just being a careerist.

Delightful woman, and helped our excellent mayor win reelection.

[Nparker]

...helped our excellent mayor win reelection.

That alone should earn her a special place in hell.

[LJ]

Platinum, actually...  $935USD/ounce as I write this..

 

From Wikipedia:

 

"Because of the external location and the use of valuable precious metals including platinum, palladium and rhodium, catalytic converters are a target for thieves. The problem is especially common among late-model trucks and SUVs, because of their high ground clearance and easily removed bolt-on catalytic converters. Welded-on converters are also at risk of theft, as they can be easily cut off.^[40][41][42] Pipecutters are often used to quietly remove the converter^[43][44] but other tools such as a portable reciprocating saw can damage other components of the car, such as the alternator, wiring or fuel lines, with potentially dangerous consequences. Rising metal prices in the U.S. during the 2000s commodities boom led to a significant increase in converter theft. A catalytic converter can cost more than $1,000 to replace, more if the vehicle is damaged during the theft.^[45][46]["

Boy these criminals are going to be disappointed when we have all electric cars on the road, but just a minute, isn't there lots of valuable minerals in the battery packs?

[Midnightly]

There are a lot of moving parts to this catch and release problem:

 

1.  COV inviting criminals, junkies and mental cases to the city.

2.  C75, a federal law, which makes it harder to hold an accused in custody.

3.  Custody resources.

4.  Local application of C75.

5.  Judicial interpretation of C75 and the general disinclination of the courts to prioritize public safety over offender rights.

 

All this within the overall context of public tolerance of all kinds of criminal and deviant behaviour (especially drug use.)  In addition, it is basically illegal for citizens to carry a weapon to defend themselves even though police resources are stretched thin.  All around, a bad situation that will get worse.

it sounds like they need to add an amendment to C75 to address repeat offenders.. if a person is a repeat offender they are highly likely to offend again.. cause an issue again, steal/vandalize again... this should come into play when it comes to releasing

 

when i call the police due to someone breaking into our building for the third time in 1 day i don't want to hear "yes there are some prolific offenders in your area"  there shouldn't be any prolific offenders on the streets

[kitty surprise]

it sounds like they need to add an amendment to C75 to address repeat offenders.. if a person is a repeat offender they are highly likely to offend again.. cause an issue again, steal/vandalize again... this should come into play when it comes to releasing
 
when i call the police due to someone breaking into our building for the third time in 1 day i don't want to hear "yes there are some prolific offenders in your area"  there shouldn't be any prolific offenders on the streets

Yep, they found the C75 loophole and are exploiting it to maximum effect.

Whoever is responsible for making adjustments to these things needs to close up that loophole, stat.

[Victoria Watcher]

the unfortunate truth is a repeat offender that demonstrates an addiction issue etc. will receive a lighter sentence than if you commit the same crime.

[pontcanna]

Taxi Driver Assaulted in Saanich

September 16, 2021

Saanich Police are looking to identify this suspect in the photos, who on August 24th assaulted a cab driver after breaking through the plastic divider.

If you know who this suspect is and you want to tell us his name anonymously, please call 1-800-222-8477.

SA #21-19273

  

[JimV]

it sounds like they need to add an amendment to C75 to address repeat offenders.. if a person is a repeat offender they are highly likely to offend again.. cause an issue again, steal/vandalize again... this should come into play when it comes to releasing

 

Yes, and that’s just one of the amendments needed.  Actually it would be much better to repeal the whole thing.  C75 is a big part of the problem.  Stirling underplays this by comparing crime rates in Victoria with the adjoining municipalities.  Sure, their rates are lower.  They will always be lower because crime is always concentrated in the urban core.  This doesn’t excuse city council or mean that there are not a lot of other factors, but ditching C75 would be a big help.

[spanky123]

Steve Wallace had a reputation for sexually harassing teenage girls in Quesnel decades before launching his Victoria driving school

As Wallace rose through Quesnel—from teacher, to mayor, to provincial candidate—more than a dozen women say he was sexually harassing them in school, in cars, and in beauty pageants

 

I know it isn't the intent but when you write things like this it makes your 'newsletter' sound like more of a 'mercenary' outlet.

 

Today, we bring you the stories of a dozen women in Quesnel, BC—where Wallace launched his political career and his driving school—who had stayed quiet about their encounters with him for decades, until now. This investigation was made possible by Capital Daily members like Carol Burman and Anne Petrie.

— Brishti, Staff reporter

Edited by spanky123, 17 September 2021 - 09:23 AM.

[pontcanna]

"Taxi Driver Assaulted in Saanich"

 

It's Stork from Animal House!