LEADERS COURT JUSTICE REFORM

Community leaders are pushing for a new court system in Kelowna that
would provide one-stop sentencing for repeat offenders who want help.

A committee of notables that includes RCMP Supt. Bill McKinnon and
Mayor Sharon Shepherd is lobbying the province's attorney general for
funding to set up a community-court system similar to, but smaller
than, one in Vancouver that opened in September.

The payoff would be large, McKinnon said Monday. Police are spending
far too much time and taxpayers' money processing the same offenders
again and again for minor crimes like thefts from cars, drug
possession and assaults.

Of the Central Okanagan's top 25 prolific offenders last year, the
Mounties dealt with one person 64 times. The one at the bottom of the
list generated 19 calls to the RCMP.

"We're spinning our wheels," McKinnon said. "We can't give up on
people. We've got to try to help them. Otherwise, we end up where we
are right now."

The country's first and only community court in Vancouver strives to
address crime quickly so offenders see the consequences of their
behaviour and can make reparation to the community. Social workers
and health experts work together to focus on their addictions, mental
illness or homelessness. Those who qualify and plead guilty must
follow the judge's orders to attend meetings and work with counsellors.

A co-ordinator makes sure the offender stays with the program. If he
fails, he returns to the regular court system, where the punishment
is more severe.

The status quo, especially for the addicted, isn't working, said Shepherd.

"Individuals don't seem to be dealt with in any way that prevents
them from coming back (to crime)," she said. "These basic problems
are related to drugs and alcohol and not having a home."

Shepherd, McKinnon, Kelowna Court Watch chairwoman Leigh Campbell and
others toured Vancouver's $5.6-million community courthouse in February.

They met with former AG Wally Oppal, who told them the government
lacked the money to extend the program to Kelowna.

"We said 'You're at the point you can't not afford it," Campbell
said. "We're not talking millions of dollars. I think this is quite
workable in Kelowna. They (Vancouver) have the Cadillac version. We
aim to get the Smart car version."

A courtroom would open several days a week with a designated judge
and prosecutor. They'd hear only Kelowna cases that carry a maximum
six-month sentence. Defence lawyers would have to be "on side" and
try to get help for their clients, McKinnon said.

"People we deal with on a daily basis really want help. They're
crying for help but it's often not given."

One problem is finding office space in the Kelowna Law Courts for
agency workers who would work with the offenders. Another is the
shortage of housing. Another is the lack detox and recovery beds,
which are usually full with waiting lists.

Service providers are "certainly challenged" to ensure offenders can
access what they need quickly, said Shelley Cook, executive director
of the local John Howard Society. But if they wait, it will never be
the right time to establish a community court.

"Working together as service providers, we can create plans of
support for people. It may not be residential treatment as a first
step," Cook said.

"This isn't hundreds of people. It's a segment of the population we
put a tremendous amount of support around. It won't tax the system.
We're already dealing with them."

The committee plans to hold a public meeting at City Hall to discuss
the plan. It's set for 4:30 p.m. June 25 in the council chambers.