Kelowna Mayor Colin Bashran is pointing the finger at the provincial government after a prolific offender was released into the community. “How is that possible? This person is clearly a danger to our community. That’s why the RCMP issued this warning and it’s enough for the provincial government to take action,” Bashran said. RCMP arrested Justin Wayne Collins, 45, on Sunday for assault, mischief, theft of mail and violation of probation. The following day he appeared before the courts and was released on parole. Bashran says he is pushing the provincial government for systemic change. “Something has to change. Part of the change is through really strong advocacy. So I’m really proud of the fact that myself and other mayors across the province came together to really force the provincial government to take action that really should have been done long ago.” “We are now waiting for a report from the provincial government on possible charges in our justice system that will hopefully close this loophole and release once and for all because this is not acceptable,” Basran continued, adding that he is asking the provincial government to consider mandatory treatment for people with mental health and addiction problems. On Tuesday, Kelowna RCMP Commander Kara Triance called for mandatory mental health and substance use programs. Representative of the detachment Const. Mike Della-Paolera said Collins has not shown the “ability or willingness to receive treatment through patient programs.” “If our justice system is going to shift to not incarcerating people with complex mental health and substance use concerns that lead to criminal acts and unsafe behaviors, the flow has to be through health. People like Justin Collins who aren’t actually involved in patient programs, they must be forced into health care or incarcerated to stop their behavior,” added Mike Della-Paolera. Kelowna-Lake Country MP Tracy Gray echoed a similar perspective, calling the “revolving door in our criminal justice system” unacceptable. “While at the same time, we need to be mindful of the complexity and intersection with homelessness, mental health and addictions. That’s why I’ve introduced a private members’ bill, Bill C-283, to address addictions/mental health and to ensure that individuals are able to receive addiction treatment when they are sentenced to federal correctional facilities,” Gray told Castanet. Last week, David Eby, BC NDP leadership candidate and front-runner to be BC’s next premier, suggested mandatory or involuntary mental health and addictions care be rolled out in the province. His challenger called the concept “wrong” and “incoherent”. Gray says all levels of government are required to submit new measures. “Our research has shown that more than 70 percent of people incarcerated in federal correctional facilities have addiction problems, and many are repatriated.” Collins, meanwhile, has set 421 records since 2016. “The problem is there’s nowhere to put him. He keeps being released on the streets of Kelowna and he has to fend for himself, which he doesn’t have the ability to do and the system isn’t there to support him,” Della said. -Paolera. Della-Paolera says the issue is both a provincial and federal issue. “They’re citizens of Canada. They’re on our streets, in our city, and we just need support from different levels of government to help support these people in a more proactive way.” Police are asking the public to call them immediately if Collins is seen breaking the law.
Kelowna RCMP arrest two prolific offenders today. One with 76 police files in 2022/ The other with 171 police files from 2017. Good job Watch 3. — Kelowna RCMP (@KelownaRCMP) August 24, 2022
