Event Speeches & Presentations Archive

Return to search/listings

MEDIA RELEASE: Vancouver Board of Trade demands chronic offenders be kept off the streets

Thursday, February 19, 2009

"The simple fact is this: If repeat offenders are not on the street, they can't break into our houses and businesses, steal our cars, shoot people and otherwise threaten our safety. The justice system needs to focus on the rights and freedoms of victims, not only the rights and freedoms of criminals."

Darcy Rezac, managing director, The Vancouver Board of Trade

MEDIA RELEASE

The Vancouver Board of Trade is rallying support to keep chronic offenders off the street.

On the 40th conviction, a repeat offender in Vancouver currently receives an average 25-days sentence compared to 101 days for the first (see conviction chart below).

"This makes no sense," says Darcy Rezac, managing director, The Vancouver Board of Trade.

"The more crimes committed, the more the criminal benefits and the community suffers. A small minority who commit a large portion of Vancouver's crimes are amazingly permitted to offend again and again. In fact, experts tell us Canada’s record of repeat criminal offenses is amongst the worst in the world," says Rezac. "This situation is out of control in Canada, and at a crisis level in Vancouver. The Board is calling upon the public to speak out and demand better."

In a letter to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Robert Nicholson, The Board points out Vancouver Police reported 379 criminals were convicted of a total 14,790 crimes between 2001 and 2006 – an average of 36 crimes each, with each one stealing over one million dollars’ worth of property every year.

In the letter, also circulated to the prime minister, premier, Metro Vancouver police chiefs, all M.P.’s, MLA’s, and the mayors of Metro Vancouver, The Board is demanding sentences escalate rather than become lighter on repeat convictions, and is also calling for improvements to drug addiction treatment programs and other prevention methods.

"The simple fact is this: If repeat offenders are not on the street, they can't break into our houses and businesses, steal our cars, shoot people and otherwise threaten our safety. The justice system needs to focus on the rights and freedoms of victims, not only the rights and freedoms of criminals," Rezac says.

The Board of Trade is also canvassing its 5,800 members for input on the issue.

See letter and chart below (Source: Vancouver Police Dept):

February 18, 2009

The Honourable Robert Nicholson
Minister of Justice and Attorney General
Government of Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A OA6

Via Email: Nicholson.r@parl.gc.ca

Dear Mr. Nicholson:

Re: Chronic Offenders

The Vancouver Board of Trade strongly believes that a key step towards reducing crime in Canada is to take stronger action with respect to chronic offenders.

In 1971, the Government of Canada changed the approach taken towards convicted criminals. The Minister responsible stated in the House that “...we have decided from now on to stress the rehabilitation of individuals rather than the protection of society.” [Hansard, House of Commons, Thursday October 7, 1971] This approach has prevailed ever since.

The rationale stated for this change was that at least 80 per cent of inmates can be rehabilitated. However, this simplistic approach does not deal with the remainder of the criminal population, where efforts at rehabilitation generally are not successful. That small group appears to be responsible for a large amount of the crime which is inflicted upon the citizens of Canada as well as businesses and other organizations in this country.

To reduce crime, Canada needs to deal more strongly with chronic crime offenders who routinely receive light sentences that do not escalate with the number of convictions. Increasing and escalating prison sentences will provide a greater deterrent to these criminals and will at least protect the public by preventing these criminals from victimizing more citizens.

The problem of chronic offenders is illustrated by the results of an analysis carried out by the Planning, Research and Audit Section of the City of Vancouver Police Department.¹ The Department reported that it was monitoring 379 chronic offenders who, on average, had 39 convictions during the period 2001-2006, for a total of 14,780 convictions. Most chronic offenders are middle-aged, and have been stealing for decades to fund drug addiction. They each may steal upwards of $1 million worth of property annually.²  It is noteworthy that the average conviction for the first offense is 101 days, but the 31st – 40th conviction averages only 25 days. (See attached chart).

The Vancouver Board of Trade strongly supports the request of the Vancouver Police Department that the federal government enact sentencing provisions that escalate with the number of convictions. This would provide a greater deterrent to these criminals and would at least protect the public while the offenders are in prison.

Coupled with that should be a comprehensive approach that provides more and better treatment for drug addicts and supports other prevention measures. The recently announced extension of funding for the Vancouver Drug Treatment Court is a welcome step in that direction.

The simple fact is this. If repeat offenders are not on the street, they can't break into our houses and businesses, steal our cars and threaten our safety. The justice system needs to focus on the rights and freedoms of victims, as well as the rights and freedoms of criminals.

Crime must be an immediate priority for government. We commend you and your government for taking a strong position on this issue.

Sincerely,

Darcy Rezac
Managing Director
The Vancouver Board of Trade

¹ Assessing Sentencing across Criminal Careers: An Examination of VPD’s Chronic Offenders, Vancouver Police Department, June 17, 2008, accessed at: http://vancouver.ca/police/media/2008/ChronicsSentencing.pdf 

² Chu, Jim, “Real jail time needed for chronic offenders,” The Vancouver Sun, February 13, 2009. Jim Chu is the chief constable of the Vancouver Police Department.

cc: Canada
     The Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada
     The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister for Public Safety
     All BC Members of Parliament
     All BC Senators

     British Columbia
     The Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier for the Province of British Columbia
     The Honourable Wally Oppal, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism
     The Honourable John van Dongen, Minister for Public Safety and Solicitor General
     All Members of the Legislature

     City of Vancouver
     Mayor Gregor Robertson
     Chief Constable Jim Chu
     All Members Vancouver Police Board
     All Directors, Police Foundation

     Greater Vancouver
     All Mayors in Greater Vancouver
     Mr. Garry Bass, Deputy Commissioner, RCMP
     Chief Constable Jim Cessford, Delta Police Department
     Chief Constable Lorne Zapotichny, New Westminster Police Department
     Chief Constable Brad Parker, Port Moody Police Department
     Chief Constable Kash Heed, West Vancouver Police Department

Return to search/listings

Copyright 1999-2009 The Vancouver Board of Trade. All Rights Reserved
Site Credits Privacy Policy