SULLIVAN TARGETS 'HABITUAL CRIMINAL' AS NPA UNVEILS PLATFORM

Vancouver Coun. Sam Sullivan says he'll push for community courts to deal
with street criminals if he's elected mayor next month.

The courts would target chronic offenders behind the rise in property crime,
focusing on treatment for drug addicts and the mentally ill, Sullivan said
yesterday.

"We think the habitual criminal is really a problem that has caused so many
difficulties for our city," he said. "When we hear that there are
individuals who would steal up to 1,000 cars and not have any serious
repercussions from that, we feel that's unacceptable."

Sullivan and his Non-Partisan Association team unveiled the party's election
platform yesterday, based on the themes of "safety, prosperity and
livability."

Sullivan also wants to hire a crime-prevention and safety commissioner for
Vancouver to find better ways of dealing with criminals.

Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Jim Green has promised 50 more police
officers next year and more officers walking the street.

"The police are the people to deal with safety on our streets," said Green.
"I've asked for more police, not more city staffing to build up the
bureaucracy."

COPE Coun. Anne Roberts backed Sullivan's call for a community court.

"The community courts seem really great," she said. "But if you divert
people from jail, you need to provide housing and treatment."