Prison could add to crime

Dear Editor: According to Brent Merchant, Assistant Deputy Justice Minister, 56 per cent of B.C.’s prison population has mental health and/or drug issues. For the Oliver prison the average sentence is 90 to 125 days. This means that there will be 1,100 to 1,500 individuals per year released into our communities.

There is agreement on crime in Penticton, and that is that it is rising. The rising crime rate that we are experiencing at this point may or may not have anything to do with this new prison, but certainly a reduction in security at this point is not the answer.

While there has been a tax increase, reportedly $86 per average household, the off-setting proposed reductions inclusive of the RCMP totals $181,000 and this represents a .64 per cent savings. Almost nothing. In this budget, it is noted to be tens of thousands of dollars donated in kind, there is also almost $600,000 in straight cash donations. I suggest that none of these funds should come ahead of the RCMP.

I ask council to rescind the reduction to the RCMP budget of $45,000, and certainly not to raise this reduction to $100,000. Rather review our situation and be prepared to increase RCMP funds and staffing to whatever cost is required for the people of Penticton to have a safe community. Steve Boultbee

Penticton